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i,    vv^sur     T..«^   ->kv<J!Lr      is.*.,    ^^ijsu^     y.iL»    vv««^ . 


v 


A  PRINCE  OF  ANAHUAC 


A 
H I STORI -TRADITIONAL 

STORY 

ANTEDATING  THE  AZTEC  EMPIRE 


BY 

JAMES  A.  PORTER 


GALION,  OHIO 

THE  CRAWFORD  COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 


CINCINNATI 
of  C.  31.  ftrcbbtrt  &  Co. 

248-250  WM.NUT  STREBT 


Copyright,  1894,  by  James  A.  Porter. 
All  Rights  Reserved. 


PREFACE. 


TN  placing  this  volume  before  the  public  we 
would  ask  the  critical  reader  to  regard  with 
leniency  its  imperfections,  in  view  of  the  fact  that 
an  exigency,  arising  through  serious  misfortune  to 
the  writer,  made  the  issue  a  necessity. 

The  narrative  is  based  upon  the  Tezcucan  his- 
torian, Ixtlilxochitl's,  brief  account  of  the  over- 
throw of  his  ancestral  government  by  Tezozomoc, 
the  Tepanec  king,  in  1418 ;  and  its  restoration, 
under -Prince  Nezahualcoyotl,  eight  or  ten  years 
later. 

The  wonderful  experience  of  Nezahualcoyotl — 
Hungry  Fox  —  (abbreviated,  for  convenience,  to 
'Hualcoyotl)  is  made  the  nucleus  around  which 
the  story  is  woven.  So  far  as  possible,  the  inci- 
dents related  of  him,  his  condemnation  to  death 
by  Maxtla,  the  son  and  successor  of  Tezozomoc, 
his  remarkable  escapes  therefrom,  and  other  per- 
sonal trials,  have  been  given  in  accordance  with 
the  historian's  account.  The  descriptive  portions, 
including  what  relates  to  the  country  and  manners 
of  the  people,  are  based  upon  conclusions  drawn 
from  rea.eHtig  a  traditional  history,  and,  therefore, 

3 


4  PREFACE. 

to  some  extent,  hypothetical ;  yet  are,  no  doubt, 
quite  as  correct  as  a  great  deal  of  what  has  been 
written  and  put  out  as  authentic. 

The  narrative  is  a  representation  of  the  writer's 
conception  as  to  how  the  triumph  of  Tezcuco  over 
her  oppressors  might  have  been  brought  about, 
together  with  such  incidental  situations  and  char- 
acterization as  appear  best  suited  to  make  it  attract- 
ive. Whether  or  n»t  success  has  been  attained  in 
the  work,  the  public  must  decide. 

The  characters  introduced,  with  the  exception  of 
Hualcoyotl  and  Maxtla,  which  are  historical,  are 
fictitious,  created  to  meet  the  exigencies  of  the 
situations. 

The  pronunciation  of  names  will  be  greatly  sim- 
plified by  the  reader  bearing  in  mind  that  x  and 
ch  are  convertible,  the  sound  of  sh  being  substi- 
tuted, as  in  Ix,  which  is  pronounced  Ish;  Teochma 
— Te-osh-ma;  Xochitl — Zosh-itl,  and  Ixtlilchoatl — 
Ish-tlil-sho-atl.  S  being  an  unused  letter,  z  is  fre- 
quently given  a  soft  sound,  as  in  tzin,  which  is 
pronounced  tsin  ;  Euetzin — U-et-sin ;  Oza — Os-a  ; 
Itzalmo — I-tsal-mo,  and  Itlza — I-tel-sa.  H  is  si- 
lent, as  in  Hualcoyotl,  which  is  pronounced  U-al- 
co-yotl ;  Hualla — U-al-la,  and  maquahuitl — ma-ka- 
u-itl. 

With  these  brief  explanations  we  conclude  our 
preface,  hoping  that  our  labor  has  not  been  in  vain, 
but  that  the  production  of  it  may  furnish  some 
instruction  and  a  few  hours'  pleasurable  pastime. 

THE  AUTHOR. 


INTRODUCTION. 


great  valley  of  Anahuac — the  valley  of 
•*•  Mexico — if  not  now,  was  once  a  grand  and 
beautiful  spot,  such  as  is  rarely  found  upon  the  face 
of  our  terraqueous  globe.  When  nearest  its  nat- 
ural state,  in  the  time  when  its  inhabitants  directed 
their  efforts  to  beautifying  and  not  to  marring  it, 
it  might  well  have  been  denominated  an  Eden. 
We  refer  to  that  period  in  its  transition  which 
covered  a  century  or  two  prior  to  the  fall  of  Mon- 
tezuma. 

The  majority  of  the  people  of  Anahuac  were  not, 
strictly  speaking,  Aztecs,  but  became  so  by  central- 
ization :  the  Montezumas  and  their  immediate  pre- 
decessors becoming,  by  the  trend  of  events,  masters 
of  the  situation. 

The  great  Aztec  empire  had  scarcely  a  half  cent- 
ury of  existence,  and  was  preceded  by  a  condition 
of  things  in  which  tribal  distinction  prevailed,  the 
Aztec  being  only  one  of  many  tribes,  and  not  greatly 
superior,  if  superior  at  all,  to  some  of  its  neighbors. 
In  fact,  the  Aztecs,  prior  to  the  overthrow  of  the 
Tepanec  empire,  unquestionably  occupied  a  posi- 
tion of  inferiority.  From  this  time  on,  however, 
their  power  and  influence  may  be  said  to  have 

5 


6  INTRODUCTION. 

rapidly  increased,  until  their  supremacy  was  as- 
sured in  the  formation  of  an  empire  with  their 
ruling  prince  at  its  head. 

That  the  reader,  who  is  not  informed  with  re- 
spect to  the  Anahuacans  and  the  conditions  which 
prevailed  among  them,  may  be  better  prepared  for 
an  intelligent  perusal  of  our  story,  the  following 
brief  account  of  them  is  presented. 

They  were  a  remarkable  people,  in  many  re- 
spects ;  and,  when  the  lack  of  opportunities  which 
hindered,  and  the  peculiar  conditions  which  influ- 
enced them,  are  taken  into  account,  were  wonder- 
fully intelligent  and  well  advanced  in  civilization. 
Although  of  the  Indian  race,  they  had  nothing  in 
common  with  their  red  brethren  of  the  north  in 
their  habits  and  manners. 

Their  religion  was  based  on  an  incongruous  and 
exaggerated  mythology,  which,  through  the  influ- 
ence of  superstition  and  the  machinations  of  a 
perniciously  insinuating  priesthood,  resulted  in 
idol  worship  and  the  terribly  vitiating  practice  of 
human  sacrifice.  They  believed  in  a  supreme 
being,  whom  they  supplicated,  but  in  an  indirect 
way.  They  were  unable  to  conceive  of  a  personal 
unity  so  comprehensive  in  attributes  of  perfection 
as  is  the  Great  Creator  and  Savior  of  man,  and, 
therefore,  supplicated  through  inferior  ministers — 
presiding  deities,  represented  in  great  images  set 
up  in  their  teocallis — temples. 

They  had  a  system  of  education,  which  embraced 
a  traditional  history,  astronomy,  mechanics,  arith- 


INTRODUCTION.  7 

metic,  and  a  means  of  communicating  ideas  by 
written  signs,  designated  hieroglyphical  painting, 
which  was  imparted  to  the  youth  through  the  me- 
dium of  a  public  school,  under  the  management  of 
the  priesthood. 

Their  domestic  habits,  and  the  rules  regulating 
intercourse  between  the  sexes,  were  most  advanta- 
geous for  the  women.  They,  unlike  their  red  sis- 
ters of  the  north,  and,  we  might  add,  some  of  the 
whiter  ones  of  Europe,  were  required  to  do  no  la- 
bor that  was  counted  the  man's,  but  were  left 
strictly  to  the  performance  of  their  domestic  du- 
ties. They  were  treated  with  the  greatest  con- 
sideration, especially  by  their  husbands ;  and,  when 
sought  after  in  marriage,  were  courted  in  a  manner 
truly  chivalrous. 

Of  their  young  women  we  quote  from  a  well- 
known  and  authentic  writer :  "  The  Aztec  maiden 
was  treated  by  her  parents  with  a  tenderness  from 
which  all  reserve  was  banished.  .  .  .  They 
conjured  her  to  preserve  simplicity  in  her  manners 
and  conversation,  uniform  neatness  in  her  attire, 
with  strict  attention  to  personal  cleanliness.  They 
inculcated  modesty  as  the  great  ornament  of  a 
woman,  and  implicit  reverence  for  her  husband  a 
duty." 

When  circumstances  would  allow  of  it  the  wom- 
en beguiled  the  time  in  the  lighter  work  of  adorn- 
ment; or,  not  infrequently,  passed  it  in  quiet  indo- 
lence. It  is  said  of  them  that  they  were  quite 
pretty,  not  at  all  like  what  may  be  seen  to-day  in 


8  INTRODUCTION. 

their  miserable  descendants.  Their  long  and  pro- 
fuse black  hair  was  usually  confined  by  a  web  of 
some  kind,  or  adorned  with  wreaths  of  flowers,  or 
strings  of  glittering  beads,  formed  from  the  precious 
metals  and  the  richer  gems  of  stone  and  pearl.  A 
scarf  was  sometimes  worn  upon  the  head,  the  fash- 
ion or  design  of  which  we  will  not  attempt  to  de- 
scribe. There  is  scarcely  anything  said  by  writers 
of  their  dress.  We  may  infer,  however,  that  it  was 
worn  with  a  view  to  convenience,  neatness,  and 
show.  The  prevailing  skirt,  we  dare  say,  was  of  a 
length  which  did  not  hamper  the  movement,  but 
was,  nevertheless,  a  work  of  art,  as  were  the  jackets 
and  leggings  which  were  worn  by  the  higher  classes, 
in  which  elaboration  and  richness  of  decoration 
were  often  indulged  to  a  degree  approaching  gor- 
geousness. 

The  sexes  shared  alike  in  occasions  of  festivity. 
They  indulged  in  banqueting  and  other  social 
gatherings,  which  were  conducted  with  elegance 
and  a  remarkable  degree  of  refinement.  We  quote 
briefly  on  this  point:  "The  halls  were  scented  with 
perfumes  and  the  courts  strewed  with  odoriferous 
flowers,  which  were  distributed  in  profusion  among 
the  guests  as  they  arrived.  Cotton  napkins  and 
ewers  of  water  were  placed  before  them  as  they 
took  their  seats  at  the  board;  for  the  venerable 
ceremony  of  ablution  before  and  after  eating  was 
punctiliously  observed."  Here  is  evidence  of  an 
elevated  social  condition,  and  certainly  would  indi- 
cate the  obtaining  of  a  high  regard  for  forms  in 


INTRODUCTION.  9 

which  love  of  the  beautiful  is  shown  and  a  com- 
mendable decency  inculcated. 

They  smoked  tobacco  and  indulged  in  intoxi- 
cants— marks  of  civilization,  but  to  become  drunk- 
en was  a  disgrace,  which  was  punishable  in  the 
young. 

The  governments  were  in  some  instances  repub- 
lican in  the  manner  of  operating  them,  though 
subject  to  the  rule  of  a  prince  whose  position  and 
rights  were  inherited,  and  who  was  surrounded  by 
a  class  of  persons  dignified  as  nobles.  However, 
the  disposition  of  the  king  had  much  to  do  with 
restricting  or  extending  the  privileges  of  his  sub- 
jects, which  occasionally  resulted  in  despotism,  as 
in  the  case  of  the  Tepanecs. 

The  people  were  encouraged  to  become  produ- 
cers, especially  in  the  matter  of  agriculture.  This 
branch  of  industry  was  closely  studied,  and,  con- 
sidering the  disadvantages  labored  under  by  the 
farmer  in  the  absence  of  draft  animals,  was  very 
successfully  conducted.  They  appeared  to  under- 
stand the  management  of  the  ground,  the  dryness 
of  which  was  relieved  by  irrigation. 

The  principal  products  of  the  farm  were  maize, 
cacao  (chocolate),  and  a  variety  of  garden  vege- 
tables— the  food  supply — while  cotton  and  maguey 
furnished  the  material  from  which  various  kinds 
of  cloth  and  paper  were  produced,  and  we  are  told 
the  land  teemed  with  an  abundance  thereof. 

Slavery  existed  in  various  phases,  the  conditions 
being  fixed  according  to  the  circumstances  govern- 


10  INTRODUCTION. 

ing  the  case.  Much  of  the  labor  was,  of  course, 
done  by  this  class  of  persons. 

The  forests  were  carefully  preserved  and  heavy 
penalties  imposed  to  prevent  their  destruction. 

The  men  were  not  permitted  to  pass  their  time 
in  idleness,  but  were  furnished  employment  by  the 
government  in  the  promotion  of  public  improve- 
ments, such  as  the  building  of  great  acqueducts 
and  highways,  and  expansive  public  edifices,  pal- 
aces and  temples,  an  example  of  public  economy 
worthy  of  imitation  by  the  more  enlightened  people 
of  the  world. 

Polygamy  was  practiced  according  to  the  means 
and  inclination  of  the  individual.  It  was  mostly 
confined  to  the  nobility,  however. 

With  all  their  severity  the  laws  protected  a  man 
-completely  in  his  personal  rights,  not  only  as  a 
proprietor  and  master,  but  as  a  slave. 

The  marriage  relation  was  regarded  with  the 
greatest  reverence  and  adhered  to  with  fidelity. 

The  sovereign  was  especially  protected  in  his 
marital  affairs,  death  being  visited  upon  the  man 
who  in  the  least  degree  usurped  his  place  in  the 
affections  of  a  wife  or  one  chosen  to  be  a  wife,  and 
the  woman  concerned,  we  infer,  was  not  held  guilt- 
less, but  on  the  other  hand  was  counted  parliceps 
criminis, 

With  these  few  references  and  the  information 
with  which  the  narrative  abounds,  the  reader,  we 
feel,  will  be  enabled  to  proceed  intelligently  and 
with  satisfaction  in  its  perusal. 


A  PRINCE  OF  ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER  I. 

IN  a  private  and  secluded  apartment  of  his  ancestral 
palace  sat  Hualcoyotl,*  the  then  reduced  prince  of 
Tezcuco,  deeply  engrossed  in  the  mysteries  of  some 
hieroglyphical  manuscript  lying  on  a  table  before  him. 
While  thus  engaged,  his  personal  servant,  Oza,  ap- 
peared at  the  door  of  his  apartment,  and  paused  in  an 
attitude  of  waiting.  The  prince,  happening  to  look 
up,  saw  him,  and  said: 

"What  is  your  errand,  Oza?  " 

"If  it  will  please  my  master,  Itzalmo  would  have 
speech  with  him,"  replied  he. 

"Bid  Itzalmo  come;  and,  Oza,  stand  without;  I  may 
want  you." 


In  the  early  part  of  the  fifteenth  century,  and  about 
one  hundred  years  prior  to  the  conquest  of  Mexico  by 
Cortes,  the  Anahuac  was  just  entering  on  its  "  Golden 
Era."  It  bloomed  then,  as  it  never  has  since,  with  an 
almost  endless  variety  of  tropical  vegetation,  and  un- 
der the  skillful  hand  of  its  inhabitants  was  made  to 


*  $ee  Preface  with  reference  to  pronunciation  of  names. 

II 


T2  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

appear  like  a  vast  park  or  garden.  Its  cities  were  mar- 
velous in  the  peculiarity  of  their  construction.  On  its 
lakes  were  beautiful  floating  gardens;  emparked  villas — 
charming  landscapes  within  a  landscape — dotted  it  over, 
and  groves  of  magnificent  forest  trees — the  oak,  cy- 
press, and  other  timbers,  which  raised  their  imposing 
heights  toward  heaven — stood  sentinel,  as  it  were,  over 
the  beautiful  vales  and  lakes  below. 

Of  the  many  tribes  of  people  then  occupying  the 
Anahuac,  the  Tezcucans,  Tepanecs,  Mexicans  (Aztecs), 
and  Tlacopans  were  among  the  larger  and  most  promi- 
nent. Our  narrative  has  to  do  with  all  these,  but  more 
particularly  with  the  first  named,  who  were  the  descen- 
dants of  the  Acolhuans,  whose  advent  to  the  Anahuac 
took  place  near  the  close  of  the  twelfth  century,  and 
nearly  simultaneously  with  that  of  the  Mexicans  and 
Chichimecs — the  latter,  possibly,  the  race  from  which 
sprang  the  Tepanecs  and  others  of  the  more  savage 
tribes. 

The  Acolhuans  were  a  mild  and  peaceably  disposed 
people,  and  intelligently  superior.  Their  descendants, 
the  Tezcucans,  so  called  from  the  name  of  their  chief 
city,  inherited  their  admirable  characteristics,  and  sus- 
tained their  superiority  for  intelligence. 

The  laws  which  governed  the  Tezcucans,  as  a  nation, 
were,  comparatively  speaking,  just  and  equitable,  hav- 
ing in  them  little  of  an  oppressive  nature,  which  can 
not  be  said  of  some  of  the  other  tribes.  A  few  years 
previous  to  the  time  at  which  our  story  opens  they 
were  a  happy  and  prosperous  people,  and  were  ruled 
by  a  king  who  had  a  kind  and  generous  disposition, 
and  who  always  held  the  welfare  of  his  subjects  of 
first  importance,  for  which  he  was  greatly  beloved  by 


A   PRINCE   OP   ANAHUAC.  13 

them.  Their  seat  of  government  was  Tezcuco,  a  popu- 
lous city  at  that  time,  situated  on  the  eastern  border  of 
L,ake  Tezcuco,  nearly  northeast,  across  the  lake,  from 
Tenochtitlan — the  Mexican  capital. 

The  city  of  Tezcuco,  if  not  at  that  time  the  most 
royal  capital  on  the  lake,  was  perhaps  the  oldest  and 
largest;  and  noted  especially  for  its  intelligence  and 
order.  Besides  its  teachers  and  scholars  it  had  its  arti- 
zans ;  the  latter  hardly  less  skilled  than  were  those  of 
the  proud  city  of  Azcapozalco,  a  rival  and  the  capital 
of  its  greatest  enemy  and  despoiler.  Its  buildings 
were  substantial ;  its  palace  commodious ;  its  temples 
commensurate  with  the  demands  of  their  votaries, 
while  its  tianguez  (market  place)  was  broad  and  ample. 

About  the  year  1418  the  king  of  the  Tepanecs  found 
cause  for  declaring  war  on  the  Tezcucans,  and  a  bitter- 
ly contested  struggle  ensued,  which  terminated  in  the 
overthrow  of  the  government  and  subjugation  of  the 
people  of  the  latter,  and  the  massacre  of  their  good 
king,  together  with  many  of  his  nobles. 

Among  those  who  escaped  the  death-dealing  hand 
of  the  victors  was  the  king's  son,  the  young  prince 
Hualcoyotl,  heir  to  the  Tezcucan  crown.  He  was 
present  at  the  bloody  and  disastrous  ending  of  the 
strife ;  but,  being  concealed  among  the  branches  of  a 
sheltering  tree,  from  which  position  he  witnessed  the 
cruel  murder  of  his  father,  he  was  not  discovered  by 
the  foe.  He  was  captured  later,  however,  and  thrown 
into  a  dungeon  in  his  own  city,  where,  though  closely 
guarded,  he  remained  only  a  short  time,  his  friends  ef- 
fecting his  escape  by  the  substitution  of  another  per- 
son, who  willingly  gave  his  life  in  his  young  master's 
Stead.  He  fled  to  the  city  of  Tenochtitlan,  where  he. 


14  A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC. 

found  refuge  with  friends.  After  a  time  he  was  per- 
mitted, through  the  influence  of  the  Mexican  king, 
who  was  friendly  toward  his  people,  to  return  to  Tez- 
cuco  and  his  ancestral  palace,  on  condition  that  he 
would  live  a  retired  and  secluded  life.  He  was  there 
taken  charge  of  and  instructed  by  an  old  tutor  named 
Itzalmo,  who  had  been  his  preceptor  previous  to  the 
overthrow  of  his  country  and  death  of  his  father. 

Hualcoyotl  was  about  sixteen  years  old  when  he 
went  into  retirement.  He  was  unusually  bright,  and 
gave  promise,  in  his  deportment  and  youthful  preco- 
ciousness,  of  reaching  a  splendid  manhood.  Eight 
years  passed  by,  during  which  period  he  remained  in 
undisturbed  seclusion,  acquiring  knowledge  and  wis- 
dom under  the  skillful  training  of  the  good  Itzalmo, 
and  finding,  in  his  hours  of  leisure,  divertisement  in 
the  society  of  a  few  chosen  companions.  He  had  not 
disappointed  the  expectations  of  his  friends,  but,  at  the 
age  of  twenty-four,  had  ripened  into  a  man  of  surpass- 
ing physical  and  intellectual  force — a  worthy  represent- 
ative of  a  noble  line  of  princes.  His  adherents  recog- 
nized in  him  their  future  king — their  hope  of  deliver- 
ance from  Tepanec  usurpation. 

About  this  time,  1426,  the  even  tenor  of  the  prince's 
life  was  interrupted  by  the  sudden  and  unexpected 
death  of  the  destroyer  of  Tezcucan  independence — the 
old  king,  Tezozomoc,  at  Azcapozalco,  the  Tepanec  cap- 
ital. 

The  government  of  this  nation,  and  its  subjugated 
provinces,  would  now  devolve  upon  Prince  Maxtla,  the 
deceased  king's  son,  who  was  looked  upon  as  a  very 
unscrupulous  and  dangerous  man — more  so,  if  possible, 
than  was  his  father,  whose  rule  had  always  been  des- 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  15 

potic  and  tyrannical,  especially  over  his  foreign  vassals. 

But  to  return  to  the  prince's  apartment. 

The  servant  retired  with  his  master's  message,  and 
Itzalmo  came  soon  after.  Advancing  before  Hualco- 
yotl,  the  old  vassal  dropped  on  one  knee  in  salutation. 

"Arise,  Itzalmo,"  said  the  prince,  kindly.  "You 
have  requested  speech  with  me.  Hualcoyotl  is  pleased 
to  grant  any  favor  you  may  ask  which  is  his  to  bestow. 
Of  what  would  you  speak?" 

"Hualcoyotl,  the  prince,  is  very  kind.  If  it  please 
him,  his  servant  would  speak  of  the  king." 

"What  of  the  king,  good  friend?" 

"The  king  is  dead." 

"The  king  dead,  you  say?     How  came  the  news?" 

"By  special  courier  but  now." 

Hualcoyotl's  countenance  took  on  a  grave  and 
thoughtful  expression.  After  a  short  pause  he  re- 
marked : 

"Maxtlawill  be  king." 

"Yes,  Maxtla  is  already  king,"  replied  Itzalmo; 
"crowned  by  his  father's  hand — an  event  greatly  to  be 
deplored,  surely;  and  well  might  we  ask,  O  Prince, 
what  will  be  the  issue?" 

"  An  inauspicious  succession,  good  friend,  to  say  the 
least ;  and  one  full  of  painful  uncertainty,"  spoke  the 
master ;  and,  after  a  brief  silence,  he  suddenly  said ; 
"  Itzalmo,  thou  hast  excellent  command  of  thy  knowl- 
edge— thou  art  wise;  I  would  know  what  is  in  thy 
mind.  What  discernest  thou  in  the  old  king's  death  ? 
How  will  it  effect  our  people's  condition  ?  " 

"  Hualcoyotl  is  the  son  of  a  noble  father,  and,  like 
he  was  wont  to  do,  gives  his  first  thoughts  to  his  peo- 
ple. Be  assured,  O  Prince,  that  no  good,  but  evil  only, 


l6  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

will  come  to  Tezcuco  from  Maxtla.  He  is  an  unscru- 
pulous prince,  and  hath  not  the  fear  of  the  gods  in  his 
heart.  The  oppressor's  hand  has  been  very  heavy — the 
weight  of  it  will  not  grow  lighter;  the  shackles  which 
bind  us  are  galling — they  will  not  be  loosed."  The  old 
man's  voice  grew  sadly  eloquent.  Raising  his  eyes  and 
looking  off  as  if  in  contemplation  of  his  enthralled 
and  unhappy  country,  he  exclaimed:  "Tezcuco,  O 
Tezcuco  !  Thou  art  indeed  distressed ;  and  the  end  is 
not ! " 

"  Itzalmo,  good  friend,  it  is  not  a  cheerful  picture  you 
hold  up  before  me  in  this  perplexing  hour,  and  I  fear 
greatly  that  you  have  not  overdrawn.  What  would 
you  advise?  For  eight  years  you  have  been  like  a 
father  to  Hualcoyotl — yes,  for  eight  years  your  hand 
has  pointed  out  the  way,  and  it  has  been  Hualcoyotl's 
pleasure  to  walk  therein.  Speak,  Itzalmo,  good  friend ; 
I  repeat:  what  would  you  advise ?  " 

"It  is  a  troublesome  question  you  would  have  me 
answer.  Time  has  not  been  given  me  in  which  to  con- 
sider. At  best,  we  can  only  wait  and  watch.  A  few 
days  may  enlighten  us  much  in  regard  to  Maxtla's  dis- 
position and  purpose;  especially  with  reference  to 
yourself.  Our  friends  at  the  king's  palace  will  be 
sleeplessly  vigilant ;  his  every  movement  will  be  close- 
ly watched,  and,  if  of  a  menacing  character,  reported 
immediately." 

"  You  speak  truly,  Itzalmo,  when  you  say  we  can 
only  wait  and  watch.  Our  hands  are  indeed  helpless. 
But  do  not  let  us  anticipate  troubles — they  come  fast 
enough.  Have  done  with  that,  then,  and  look  at  this," 
returned  the  prince,  calling  the  old  preceptor's  atten- 
tion to  the  manuscript  on  the  table,  which  proved  to 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  17 

be  the  work  of  his  own  hand,  and  of  which  he  desired 
a  critical  inspection  by  Itzalmo. 

After  a  close  scrutiny  of  the  manuscript  the  old  tutor 
said,  showing  his  gratification  and  approval : 

"  Hualcoyotl  has  done  well.  The  pupil  has  become 
a  master,  and  Itzalmo's  labors,  as  his  instructor,  are 
about  at  an  end.  The  builder  has  not  builded  in  vain, 
and  his  heart  rejoices  that  it  is  so." 

"  Hualcoyotl  has  been  fortunate  in  the  matter  of  an 
instructor,  if  in  nothing  else.  Itzalmo  has  been  a  faith- 
ful teacher,  and  his  reward  shall  be  commensurate,  the 
gods  befriending  us,"  replied  the  prince,  in  grateful 
tones. 

"  May  the  gods  befriend  you,  good  master,  not  for 
my  sake,  but  for  your  own  and  that  of  your  oppressed 
people ! "  prayerfully  responded  the  old  tutor. 

"Your  words  are  overkind,  Itzalmo,  good  friend: 
and  they  will  be  remembered  with  gratitude,"  returned 
the  prince,  feelingly. 

Having  accomplished  the  object  of  his  visit  to  the 
apartment  of  Hualcoyotl,  Itzalmo  saluted  him  and  with- 
drew. 

When  left  to  himself  the  prince  became  thoughtful 
for  a  time,  when  he  was  suddenly  reminded  that  his 
servant  was  without,  waiting  for  orders.  He  struck, 
lightly,  a  small,  bell-shaped  instrument  suspended  near 
him,  and  Oza  immediately  appeared  in  the  doorway. 

"  Oza,"  spoke  the  master,  "ask  the  tzin*  Euet  to 
favor  me  with  his  presence." 

^  ^•^^f.'^.yi^^yf. 

Tzin  Euet,  or  Euetzin,  was  the  son  of  a  once  promi- 
nent Tezcucan  noble,  Euzelmozin,  who  was  a  close 


*A  word  synonymous  with  "  lord." 


1 8  A   PRINCE    OF    AN  AH  U  AC. 

friend  of  the  late  king  of  Tezcuco,  and  a  high  official 
in  his  court ;  and  who  shared,  with  many  others,  the 
fate  of  his  royal  master  on  the  sanguinary  field,  where 
the  best  blood  of  a  nation  was  shed  to  satisfy  the  in- 
stinctive cruelty  of  a  barbarian  tyrant. 

When  the  young  prince  Hualcoyotl  went  into  re- 
tirement it  was  thought  necessary  that  he  should  have 
a  companion,  about  his  own  age,  who  would  be  to  him 
an  attendant  and  associate,  whose  duty  it  would  be  to 
relieve,  by  his  presence,  the  monotony  of  his  seclusion. 

From  the  close  official  relation  of  the  fathers  and 
the  intimacy  of  the  families  grew  a  warm  and  lasting 
friendship  between  the  boys ;  and,  as  a  result,  Hualco- 
yotl's  choice  of  a  companion  fell  upon  tzin  Euet. 

The  young  tzin  was  a  student ;  and,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Itzalino  and  the  favor  of  the  prince,  had  spent 
the  years  in  perfecting  his  education. 

A  genuine  affection  had  gradually  come  between  the 
young  men,  and  they  were  more  like  brothers  than 
else. 

They  were  physically  unlike ;  Euetzin  being  of  me- 
dium height,  yet  of  no  inferior  mould,  with  a  light  cast 
of  complexion;  while  the  prince  was  tall,  muscular 
and  dark.  In  age  there  was  about  a  year's  difference, 
Hualcoyotl  being  the  senior.  They  were  fine  speci- 
mens of  their  race. 

Oza  delivered  his  master's  message  to  the  tzin,  who 
promptly  responded.  The  young  lord  never  forgot 
that  his  friend  was  also  his  prince,  and  always  saluted 
him  profoundly  when  they  met,  which  he  did  on  enter- 
ing his  apartment.  . 

"  Thanks,  noble  tzin,  for  your  promptness  in  coming 
to  my  relief.  I  am  wearied  of  my  work,  and  would 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  19 

have  exercise.  Will  you  go  with  me  to  the  court?" 
kindly  spoke  the  prince. 

"  With  gladness,  O  Prince.  You  ought  to  know  by 
now  that  your  slightest  wish  is  a  law  unto  your  friends, 
especially  to  myself,  in  whom  obedience  to  you  is  the 
fullness  of  pleasure,  born  of  affection,"  answered  Euet- 
zin,  his  countenance  beaming  with  an  expression  which 
emphasized  his  words. 

"Euetzin,  I  believe  you;  for  without  affection  a 
friendship  so  true  as  yours  could  not  exist.  But 
come;  let  us  to  the  court." 


The  ancestral  palace  of  the  Tezcucan  princes  at  this 
period  was  not  to  be  compared  with  what  it  was  later, 
yet  was,  presumably,  an  expansive  structure,  if  not 
massive,  built  on  three  sides  of  a  court,  the  court 
terminating  at  the  rear  of  it  in  a  beautifully  arranged 
garden. 

In  the  front,  or  main  portion,  of  the  palace  were  the 
audience  hall  and  council  chamber ;  also  various  other 
apartments,  among  them  those  intended  for  the  private 
use  of  the  king  and  his  numerous  household ;  many 
of  which,  after  the  subversion  of  the  government  and 
death  of  the  king,  fell  into  disuse  by  the  dispersion  of 
the  occupants. 

In  one  of  the  back  wings  which  extended  along  the 
side  of  the  court,  were  the  culinary  establishment,  ban- 
queting hall,  and,  communicating  with  the  latter,  sa- 
loons, or  reception  rooms.  There  were  other  apart- 
ments connected  with  this  wing  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  servants,  the  ordinary  vassals  of  the  king,  of 
whom  there  were  a  very  great  number  in  his  time,  but 


20  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

which  were  now  reduced  to  the  actual  necessities  of 
the  prince  and  his  companions. 

In  the  other  wing  of  the  palace  was  an  extensive 
conservatory,  where  were  cultivated  the  choicest  flow- 
ers and  shrubs  to  be  found  in  the  valley,  of  which 
there  was  no  lack.  The  Anahuacans  took  great  de- 
light in  floral  displays,  and  no  home  was  complete 
without  its  flowers. 

When  the  prince  and  his  companion  reached  the 
court  they  found  some  of  their  attendants  playing  at 
ball.  This  was  one  of  Hualcoyotl's  favorite  means  of 
obtaining  exercise  and  relief  from  the  depressing  ef- 
fects of  his  enforced  seclusion,  and  they  immediately 
joined  in  the  game. 

After  indulging  in  the  sport  to  their  satisfaction  the 
prince  requested  Euetzin  to  withdraw  with  him  to  the 
rear  of  the  court,  where  they  found  a  pleasant  retreat 
and  protection  from  the  sun's  heat  in  an  inviting  arbor, 
which  was  especially  arranged  for  their  comfort  and 
enjoyment  in  leisure  hours.  When  they  were  at  ease 
the  prince  said : 

"Are  you  aware,  tzin  Euet,  that  the  king  is  dead?" 

"  Yes,  Prince.  Itzalmo  informed  me  soon  after  re- 
ceiving the  message." 

"  Itzalmo  is  of  opinion  that  the  coming  of  Maxtla  to 
the  throne  will,  if  anything,  add  to  the  distress  of  our 
people.  I  have  great  regard  for  his  sagacity,  yet  with- 
al, being  deeply  concerned  personally,  I  would  have 
your  opinion  also,  tzin  Euet,  and  have  brought  you 
here  to  obtain  it.  You  may  be  able  to  throw  some 
light  on  the  matter,  and,  by  so  doing,  change  the  pres- 
ent aspect  of  it.  Maxtla  is  king ;  and,  as  we  have  rea- 
son to  believe,  a  king  without  scruples,  and  not  to  be 


A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  21 

relied  on.  Were  Tezcuco  in  position  to  demand  the 
restoration  of  her  rights  as  a  nation  we  would  know 
how  to  proceed ;  but  she  is  not,  and  we  are  left  with 
only  one  alternative,  that  of  submission.  Thus  un- 
happily environed,  our  only  recourse  is  to  seek  to  mol- 
lify the  king.  How  to  do  this,  friend  Euet,  is  the 
present  and  very  important  question." 

Hualcoyotl  paused,  and  looked  inquiringly  at  the 
tzin. 

"  Yourself,  O  Prince,  will  be  the  one  most  affected 
by  the  change  of  rulers,  and  through  you  the  new  king 
must  be  mollified,  if  such  a  thing  be  possible.  I  fear 
very  much  that  any  overtures  in  that  direction  will  be 
met  by  a  scornful  rejection,  especially  with  reference 
to  your  own  case,"  was  Euetzin's  rather  discouraging 
reply. 

"  On  what  grounds,  tzin  Euet,  do  you  rest  your 
fears?" 

"  On  the  character  of  the  man  who  now  becomes  the 
wrongful  ruler  of  our  people.  His  exceedingly  bad 
record  as  a  young  man — a  record  full  of  meanness, 
largely  made  up  of  diabolism  and  cruelty,  evidence  of 
which  is  not  lacking,  furnishes  sufficient  grounds  for 
fear  and  apprehension.  I  will  venture  an  assertion,  O 
Prince,  which  may  seem  overstrong  to  you,  yet  I  feel 
confident  I  do  not  err  in  my  conclusions.  It  does  not 
require  a  prophet  to  foretell  a  thing  when  the  condi- 
tions portend  it.  You,  O  Hualcoyotl,  the  rightful 
prince  of  Tezcuco,  and  Maxtla,  the  king,  can  not  both 
continue  to  live  under  the  same  government.  Mark 
me  well !  Sooner  or  later  you  will  be  compelled  to 
fly  or  suffer  death." 

It  was  with  a  pale,  stern  face  the  tzin  uttered  his 


22  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

concluding  words.  The  prince  looked  at  him  in 
amazement,  considering  the  enormity  implied  in  the 
prediction ;  yet,  when  he  spoke,  it  was  with  perfect 
calmness. 

"  You  undoubtedly  believe  what  you  say,  my  dear 
tzin ;  yet  I  am  slow  to  think  myself  so  obnoxious  to 
the  king  as  your  words  imply." 

"You  are  obnoxious  to  him,  noble  prince,  to  the 
extent  of  being  feared.  He  is  a  jealous  and  suspicious 
man,  in  addition  to  his  many  other  faults,  and  will 
brook  no  possible  rival  to  his  authority  over  Tezcuco. 
While  Hualcoyotl,  the  beloved  prince  of  an  enslaved 
people,  lives,  and  is,  in  a  measure,  at  liberty,  Maxtla 
will  not  rest  in  security.  Believe,  O  noblest  of  friends, 
I  beg  you,  that  I  would  not  unduly  excite  you  in  this 
matter ;  but  being  deeply  impressed  with  the  thought 
that  your  life  is  in  jeopardy,  I  am  impelled  to  raise  my 
voice  in  warning." 

After  a  moment's  pause  the  prince  said : 

"  Tzin  Euet,  I  must  know  to  a  certainty  if  your  ap- 
prehensions of  peril  to  myself  are  correct.  Have  you 
any  plan  to  offer?  You  seem  to  have  given  the  mat- 
ter thought.  What  would  you  do  ?  "  inquired  Hual- 
coyotl, showing  unusual  concern. 

"  I  would  go  to  Azcapozalco,  and  into  the  king's 
presence  at  once,  and  offer  him  allegiance.  If  he  con- 
templates harm  to  you  he  will  show  it.  He  will  not 
dare  to  molest  you  openly  without  cause^  Your  re- 
turn may  be  fraught  with  danger,  yet  it  is  worth  the 
hazard  to  learn  his  mind,"  replied  the  tzin. 

"  The  past  has  taught  me,  Euetzin,  that  your  opin- 
ions are  usually  well  grounded.  The  character  estab- 
lished by  Prince  Maxtla  in  the  past,  as  you  say,  is 


A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  23 

sufficient  cause  for  apprehension.  Your  words  have 
stirred  me  deeply,  and  I  think  I  will  act  upon  them ; 
though,  before  doing  so,  I  must  have  time  for  thought. 
Say  nothing  to  anyone  of  what  is  in  your  mind  re- 
specting this  matter,  not  even  to  Itzalmo ;  he  would 
only  oppose  my  going  before  the  king,"  returned  the 
prince;  and  continuing,  he  said:  "  I  pray  your  judg- 
ment may  be  in  error  this  once ;  though,  looking  at  it 
as  you  do,  I  fear  the  worst. 

The  young  men,  feeling  somewhat  dejected,  very 
soon  left  the  arbor  and  returned,  each  to  his  own 
apartment. 


24  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER  II. 

LA.KE  Tezcuco,  the  principal  one  of  several  situated 
in  the  great  valley  of  Mexico,  four  and  three  quar- 
ter centuries  ago,  when  the  present  Mexican  capital 
(then  Tenochtitlan)  stood  a  league  or  more  within  its 
borders,  was  quite  an  inland  body  of  water,  covering 
well  on  to  four  hundred  square  miles  of  surface. 
Since  that  time  this  lake  has  shrunken  to  a  remark- 
able degree,  leaving  the  great  valley  city,  and  the  sites 
of  others  now  reduced  to  insignificance,  miles  away 
from  it. 

At  the  time  to  which  our  narrative  refers  nearly  all 
the  chief  cities  of  Anahuac  were  situated  on  its  shores, 
among  which  was  the  Tepanec  capital,  Azcapozalco, 
located  near  the  northwest  corner  of  the  lake.  To 
this  city  we  now  have  occasion  to  turn  briefly. 

Azcapozalco  was  designated  as  the  royal  city,  which, 
if  it  signified  anything,  meant  that  in  the  time  of  its 
ascendency  it  was  the  most  magnificent  seat  of  govern- 
ment on  the  lake,  if  not  on  the  Anahuac.  It  was  a  city 
of  walls  we  are  told,  and  must  have  boasted  of  elegant 
structures  of  stone  and  sun-dried  brick,  which  sug- 
gests the  idea  of  towering  temples,  a  grand  palace  and 
court,  and  extensive  avenues,  where  swarmed  an  ag- 
gressive and  busy  population.  Its  artificers,  it  is  said, 
were  superior  in  skill  to  those  of  any  other  city  on  the 
great  plateau,  which  meant  much,  when  we  consider 


A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHTTAC.  25 

that  among  these  were  to  be  found  jewelers  who  could 
unify  metals  so  perfectly  as  to  represent  objects,  har- 
moniously variegated,  by  alternately  intermixing  of 
silver  and  gold. 

Of  their  weavers  we  may  speak  equally  well. 

The  ancient  Mexicans  were  the  first  people  to  use 
the  cochineal  for  purposes  of  coloring,  which,  after  the 
conquest,  was  introduced  into  Europe  by  the  Span- 
iards. Their  weavers  were  enabled  with  it  to  make 
the  products  of  the  loom  not  only  brilliant  but  beau- 
tiful. 

The  fineness  of  their  fabrics  varied  in  texture  as  well 
as  in  dye,  the  most  finished  being  made  of  cotton,  one 
of  their  principal  products,  with  which  was  interwoven 
the  finest  animal  hair,  forming  a  web  fit  to  be  worn  by 
a  king. 

A  royal  city,  we  may  well  believe,  was  Azcapozalco, 
when  Maxtla,  the  tyrant  rival  of  Prince  Hualcoyotl, 
became  the  arbiter  of  its  destiny. 

Maxtla  was  seated  on  his  throne,  in  the  audience 
hall  of  his  palace,  surrounded  by  his  chiefs  and  ad- 
visers— nobles  of  his  realm,  holding  conference  with 
them  regarding  the  duties  of  their  respective  positions, 
and  arranging  other  matters  pertaining  to  his  new  and 
exalted  station. 

The  king  was  a  man  of  medium  stature,  with  a  well- 
rounded  physique,  swarthy  complexion,  and  very  course 
features.  His  eyes  were  small  and  black,  and  lighted 
up  with  a  gleam  of  cunning  and  ferocity,  which  gave 
to  his  countenance  a  decidedly  disagreeable  expression, 
and  one  that  boded  no  good  to  those  whom  he  might 
deem  his  enemies. 


26  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

The  costume  he  wore  consisted  of  a  loose-fitting 
tunic  and  leggings  made  to  fit  his  limbs  closely  to 
below  the  calf;  the  whole  wrought  from  the  finest 
cotton  fabrics  and  ornamented  with  trimmings  of  gold. 
Over  his  shoulders  was  carelessly  worn  a  rich  mantle 
of  featherwork.  His  feet  were  incased  in  sandals  made 
from  the  skin  of  some  wild  animal;  while  on  his  head 
rested  a  crown  formed  of  precious  metals,  and  orna- 
mented with  gems  and  a  penache  of  richly  colored 
feathers. 

His  chiefs  were  similarly  dressed,  excepting  the 
crown,  but  in  a  less  gaudy  manner. 

A  pause  had  fallen  on  the  assembly,  which  was  inter- 
rupted by  the  entrance  of  a  herald,  who  announced 
Prince  Hualcoyotl  as  desiring  audience  with  the  king. 
The  mention  of  the  prince's  name  caused  no  little 
commotion  among  the  king's  attendants.  A  cloud  of 
disapproval  came  over  Maxtla's  face,  and  the  evil  ex- 
pression upon  it  was  intensified.  After  a  moment's 
hesitation  he  directed  that  the  prince  be  admitted. 

On  entering  the  hall,  Hualcoyotl  advanced  before 
the  king  and  saluted  him  in  the  accustomed  manner : 
kneeling  on  one  knee,  placing  his  right  hand  on  the 
ground  and  then  to  his  forehead.  While  in  this  po- 
sition he  laid  at  the  scowling  Maxtla's  feet  an  offering 
of  flowers,  which  was  emblematic  of  his  peaceful  inten- 
tions. The  king  gave  a  momentary  glance  at  the 
prostrate  prince,  and  then,  with  malice  and  hatred  de- 
picted on  his  countenance,  silently  and  haughtily 
turned  his  back  upon  him.  This  action  on  the  part  of 
Maxtla  was  highly  significant:  it  was  intended  as  a 
humiliation  to  the  prince,  and  signified  that  his  offer- 
ing was  rejected;  also,  that  no  favor  might  be  expect- 
ed by  him  from  the  throne. 


A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  27 

Hualcoyotl  rose  to  his  feet  deeply  moved  by  the  con- 
duct of  the  king;  and,  after  a  moment's  hesitation, 
quietly  walked  out  of  the  hall.  As  he  left  the  door  he 
was  accosted  by  one  of  the  king's  attendants,  who 
begged  him  to  withdraw  from  the  palace  and  city,  and 
return  to  his  own  as  quickly  as  possible,  for  his  life 
was  in  great  danger.  He  was  soon  on  the  road  to  Tez- 
cuco,  where  he  arrived  safely,  but  much  perturbed  in 
spirit  and  perplexed  in  mind. 

He  went  immediately  to  his  private  apartment,  and 
summoned  Euetzin  into  his  presence.  In  a  very  short 
time  the  tzin  appeared,  and,  after  saluting  him,  said : 

"  I  am  here  in  answer  to  your  summons,  noble 
prince,  and  would  know  your  pleasure." 

"  Be  at  ease,  good  friend,"  returned  Hualcoyotl, 
gravely,  motioning  the  tzin  to  a  seat.  A  brief  silence 
followed,  which  was  broken  by  the  prince. 

"  Euetzin,"  he  began,  fixing  his  passion-lit  eyes  on 
his  friend,  "the  wisdom  and  penetration  of  an  older 
head  than  might  be  expected  has  been  given  to  you, 
as  my  appearance  before  the  king  has  proven." 

"You  have  seen  the  king?"  inquiringly  interrupted 
the  tzin. 

"  I  have,"  answered  the  prince,  reflectively,  looking 
beyond.  Another  short  pause  intervened,  and  recover- 
ing himself  he  continued,  adopting  a  manner  of  ex- 
pression peculiar  to  his  race. 

"  The  lion  is  loosed,  and  the  fire  of  anger  is  in  his 
heart;  the  fox  must  be  wary,  or  his  cunning  may  not 
save  him.  Do  you  interpret  in  these  words  the  na- 
ture of  my  reception  by  the  king?" 

"  I  do,  and  know  that  I  read  him  truly." 

"  You  did,  most  truly.      In  accordance  with  your 


28  A   PRINCE    OF  ANAHUAC. 

opinion  and  advice  I  went  before  the  king,  and  in  the 
presence  of  his  assembled  chiefs  tendered  my  fealty 
and  peace  offering  to  his  majesty  with  the  accustomed 
formalities.  My  offerings  were  rejected,  and  I,  the 
Prince  of  Tuzcuco,  was  spurned  by  him  in  the  most 
humiliating  manner,  and  compelled  like  a  coward  to 
slink  from  his  presence  under  the  infliction  of  the  in- 
dignity, without  the  power  to  resent  it.  Euetzin,  some- 
thing must  be  done,  and  quickly;  for  Maxtla  evi- 
dently contemplates  harm  to  myself,  his  supposed  rival, 
and  will  stop  at  nothing  short  of  my  destruction.  It 
must  be  victory  for  Tezcuco  or  death  for  her  prince,  as 
it  now  appears." 

Euetzin  felt  that  a  reply  was  expected  and  said : 
"  Hualcoyotl,  the  son  of  our  lamented  king,  can  rely 
upon  his  friends  in  any  emergency.  They  are  devoted 
to  their  country  and  prince,  and  only  await  an  oppor- 
tunity to  avenge  the  wrongs  which  have  been  laid 
upon  them." 

"  Your  words,  tzin  Euet,  are  encouraging,  for  they 
strengthen  an  impression  which  I  have  hopefully  en- 
tertained :  that  our  people  are  still  imbued  with  patriot- 
ism and  love  for  their  country,  and  may  be  led  by  in- 
citement to  do  battle  for  its  redemption.  If  our  hope 
is  not  a  vain  one,' which  can  only  be  ascertained  by  in- 
vestigation, someone  whose  soul  is  in  our  cause  must 
go  abroad  to  inspire,  arouse  and  prepare  them  for  re- 
volt. By  my  peculiar  position  I  am  unfortunately 
placed.  I  can  not  go  to  those  with  whom  I  would 
counsel,  neither  can  they  come  to  me ;  for  my  every 
movement  will  henceforth  be  under  strict  and  secret 
surveillance.  On  you,  therefore,  my  trusted  friend, 
must  fall  the  work  which  I  would,  but  can  not,  do — the 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  2Q 

work  of  stimulating  our  people  to  action  and  organiz- 
ing them  into  an  army  of  resistance  to  the  Tepanec 
despot,  Maxtla.  I  need  not  inquire  if  you  will  do  it ; 
Euetziii  is  the  son  of  Euzelmozin — that  alone  bespeaks 
his  compliance." 

"  My  life,  O  Prince,  is  at  your  disposal.  You  have 
but  to  command  and  I  will  obey." 

"  Spoken  like  the  true  Tezcucan  that  you  are,  noble 
Euet.  That  Hualcoyotl  has  not  many  more  such  loyal 
friends  in  his  misfortune  !  " 

"  The  hour  of  need  may  discover  to  Hualcoyotl  an 
army  of  friends  not  less  worthy  of  trust  than  Euet," 
replied  the  tzin  modestly. 

"  Friends  worthy  and  true,  possibly — never  but  one 
Euet,"  returned  the  prince,  with  a  look  which  voiced 
the  affectionate  esteem  in  which  he  held  his  compan- 
ion. 

The  tzin  was  considerably  affected  by  the  prince's 
fervent  manner  and  language,  and  appeared  confused 
for  want  of  a  suitable  reply,  which  the  latter  observed, 
and,  quickly  continuing,  reverted  to  the  main  question 
under  consideration, 

"  The  mission  on  which  you  are  about  to  go  is  a  very 
dangerous  one  "  said  he.  "  Should  you  be  discovered, 
death  would  undoubtedly  be  the  consequence." 

"  I  am  aware  of  that,  O  Prince,  yet  I  beg  you  will 
have  no  fears  for  my  safety.  I  will  choose  my  own 
companions,  and,  be  assured,  they  will  not  be  of  the 
emissaries  of  Maxtla." 

"  I  believe  you ;  and  now,  since  you  are  to  go,  let 
there  be  no  delay.  Seek  our  friends  and  counsel  with 
them.  Learn  the  true  feelings  of  our  people,  and,  if 
possible,  the  number  of  our  adherents  available  for 


30  A   PRINCE   OF   AN  AH  U  AC. 

soldiers ;  also,  if  so  desirable  an  end  may  be  attained, 
secure  the  cooperation  of  other  states  which  are  friend- 
ly to  us.  Work  with  the  wisdom  and  judgment  of 
which  I  know  you  to  be  possessed,  and  according  to 
the  success  of  your  labors  shall  be  your  reward.  May 
our  nation  rise,  under  your  hand,  from  the  ashes  of  her 
former  greatness,  is  our  most  earnest  prayer.  Go  as 
soon  as  you  can  arrange  to  do  so,  and  may  the  gods 
of  our  fathers  be  with  you  and  keep  you.  You  will 
see  your  excellent  mother  and  sister;  bear  to  them, 
I  pray  you,  my  profound  respect,  and  say  that  I  would 
come  to  them  could  I  do  so  with  safety." 

Euetzin  at  leaving  would  have  saluted  the  prince  in 
the  accustomed  manner,  but  was  stopped  by  him,  and, 
instead,  was  received  upon  his  breast  in  a  strong  em- 
brace, which  signified  that  he  was,  for  the  time  at  least, 
accepted  as  an  equal  in  all  respects. 

Realizing  the  very  grave  circumstances  under  which 
they  were  parting,  the  friends  separated  with  feelings 
of  deepest  sadness. 

The  prince's  confidence  in  the  loyalty  and  integrity 
of  his  friend  was  full  and  complete,  as  we  have  seen, 
and  the  sequel  proved  that  it  was  wisely  placed. 

When  the  tzin  had  withdrawn  from  the  prince's 
apartment  the  latter  fell  into  deep  meditation,  as  was 
his  wont  in  the  recent  past.  His  thoughts  at  length 
appeared  to  turn  on  his  aged  preceptor,  for  he  spoke 
audibly,  as  if  addressing  someone  : 

"  Yes,  the  good  Itzalmo  must  not  be  overlooked  in 
this  matter.  He  has  been  like  a  father  to  me,  and 
should  share  fully  in  my  confidence.  His  wisdom  and 
sagacity  may  yet  be  of  invaluable  service  to  me,  as 
they  have  been  in  the  past." 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  31 

He  arose  and  straightway  sought  the  old  servitor  in 
his  private  apartment,  where  he  found  him  poring  over 
his  hieroglyphics.  Salutations  were  exchanged,  and 
the  prince  proceeded  to  relate  the  particulars  of  his 
visit  to  the  palace  of  Maxtla ;  also  to  express  his  fears 
as  to  the  consequences  liable  to  ensue,  and  his  deter- 
mination to  meet  them  by  a  speedy  preparation  for 
resistance. 

Itzalmo  was  not  pleased  that  the  prince  had  gone 
before  the  king  unknown  to  him,  yet  his  solicitude 
was  instantly  aroused  in  his  behalf,  and  a  careful  study 
of  the  situation  followed. 

The  old  preceptor  was  a  man  of  marked  shrewdness 
and  cunning,  and  more  than  a  match  for  Maxtla  if 
open  violence  was  not  resorted  to.  Friends,  known  to 
no  one  but  himself,  were  to  be  found  in  the  king's 
palace  who  quickly  notified  him  when  anything  of 
importance  occurred  in  his  majesty's  household  or 
court.  In  this  manner  he  was  kept  informed  and 
always  forewarned. 

Acquainted,  as  tke  old  Tezcucan  was,  with  the 
treacherous  disposition  of  the  Tepanecs,  and  Maxtla  in 
particular,  he  felt  that  the  strictest  watchfulness  would 
be  necessary  to  avoid  surprise.  He  had  saved  the 
prince  from  the  wrath  of  the  old  king,  and  hoped  he 
might  be  able  to  save  him  again,  should  the  emergency 
arise.  He  therefore  begged  him  to  be  discreet  and 
trust  to  him. 

"  You  are  young,  O  Prince,  and  with  little  experi- 
ence to  guide  you,"  he  said.  "  I  pray  you,  be  not  in- 
cautious, but  let  your  actions  be  governed  by  wisdom 
and  understanding.  Do  not  forget,  O  Hualcoyotl,  that 
the  destiny  of  a  people  rests  with  you.  Listen  to  him 


32  A    PRINCE    OP   ANAHUAC. 

who  has  counseled  and  shown  you  the  way  in  the  past. 
Itzalmo  is  your  proven  friend  ;  he  will  do  for  you  what 
no  other  can." 

The  old  man's  earnestness  was  remarkable,  and  the 
prince  felt  it.  He  said : 

"  Itzalmo,  I  know  that  I  may  trust  you  wholly  ;  for 
have  you  not,  indeed,  proven  it  in  man}7  ways?  Be 
assured,  then,  my  ever  faithful  friend,  that  your  coun- 
sel shall  not  be  ignored.  I  will  be  guarded  in  what  I 
do.  You  have  my  promise." 

As  he  concluded,  the  prince  passed  from  the  apart- 
ment of  the  loyal  old  vassal,  the  latter  sending  after 
him  a  prayerful  benediction. 


A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC.  33 


CHAPTER  III. 


"Z 


rarely  does  anything  come  to  disturb  the 
sameness  of  our  lives.  No  change  from  day  to  day : 
only  the  voice  of  Nature,  in  the  songs  of  birds  and  the 
murmur  of  the  leaves,  is  heard ;  and,  much  as  I  love 
these  sounds,  they  make  me  sad." 

These  words  were  addressed  by  a  young  girl  to  an 
elderly  appearing  woman  a  short  distance  off,  who  was 
at  the  moment  giving  attention  to  a  beautiful  cluster 
of  blooming  rosebushes. 

"  Yes,  the  villa  does  seem  lonesome ;  still  we  have 
each  other,  my  child,  which  is  much  to  be  thankful 
for,"  was  answered. 

"True,  mother;  butrthat  does  not  relieve  the  quiet- 
ude of  our  home.  I  wish  that  Euet  would  come.  He 
remains  from  us  longer  this  time  than  usual.  Do  you 
think  we  may  expect  him  soon  ?  " 

"  Euet  does,  indeed,  stay  from  home  longer  than 
usual,  but  is  no  doubt  detained.  Still,  I  hope  he  will 
be  here  before  the  day  is  gone,"  replied  the  elderly 
woman. 

The  persons  engaged  thus  in  conversation  were  in 
the  open  air,  strolling  leisurely  about,  rearranging  a 
disturbed  bush  or  vine,  plucking  a  flower  here  and  a 
twig  there,  and  drinking  in  the  sweet  perfumes  rising 
from  the  odoriferous  flowers  and  shrubs  which  met 


34  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

them  at  every  turn.  They  were  the  mother  and  sister 
of  Euetzin,  the  friend  and  companion  of  Prince  Hual- 
coyotl,  who  were  out  for  an  hour's  stroll  in  the  beau- 
tiful grounds  fronting  their  villa  home — a  place  very 
dear  to  them  for  the  sacred  memories  which  clung 
around  it ;  memories  of  other  and  happier  days,  when 
home  associations  and  ties  were  unbroken  and  com- 
plete. 

Euzelmozin,  the  husband  and  father,  as  we  have 
stated  previously,  perished  with  his  king  on  the  battle 
field,  where  Tezcucan  liberty  went  down  under  the 
bloody  hand  of  a  cruel  victor.  He  left  them  a  beauti- 
ful home,  however,  with  gold  and  other  wealth  suffi- 
cient to  make  them  independent. 

By  paying  promptly  the  required  tribute  to  the  Te- 
panec  king  they  were  permitted  to  live  undisturbed  in 
their  isolation. 

The  mother,  whose  name  was  Teochma,  had  passed 
middle  life.  She  still  possessed  a  vigorous  woman- 
hood, and  showed  her  age  in  the  hair  only,  which  was 
freely  sprinkled  over  with  gray. 

Itlza,  the  daughter,  was  fair  and  of  medium  size. 
About  nineteen  years  had  marked  her  young  life,  but, 
being  a  child  of  a  sunny  clime,  she  appeared  older. 
She  was  not  beautiful,  yet  upon  her  face  there  was  a 
sweet,  confiding  look,  which  attracted  and  charmed  the 
beholder,  impressing  his  or  her  mind  with  a  pleasing 
sense  of  acquaintanceship.  The  light  of  geniality 
beamed  upon  her  countenance,  and  a  spirit  of  mirth- 
fulness  sparkled  up  from  the  depths  of  two  bright, 
laughing  eyes.  A  pair  of  carmine-tinted  lips,  as  deli- 
cately colored  as  the  lovely  rose  she  was  carelessly 
twirling  between  her  thumb  and  finger,  backed  by  two 


A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC.  35 

perfect  rows  of  pearly  teeth,  adorned  a  pretty,  tempt- 
ing mouth,  which  completed  the  charm  and  brightness 
of  an  otherwise  plain  face. 

They  were  dressed  becomingly  in  the  manner  of 
their  people.  The  character  of  their  dress  was  not 
greatly  dissimilar  to  that  worn  by  the  women  of  other 
Indian  nations,  except  in  its  completeness.  Among 
the  higher  classes  of  native  Mexican  women  the  cos- 
tume was  usually  gorgeous  in  gay  colors,  and  adorned 
with  trimmings  of  gold  and  featherwork. 

The  mother  and  sister  of  tzin  Euet  were  the  wife 
and  daughter  of  a  fallen  Tezcucan  noble;  and,  though 
robbed  of  the  title  of  nobility,  still  endeavored  to  sus- 
tain, in  their  manner  of  living,  the  dignity  of  their 
former  rank. 

Zelmonco  villa,  the  home  of  the  family,  was  situated 
on  an  eminence,  about  two  leagues  from  Tezcuco,  and 
commanded  a  fine  view  of  the  adjacent  country  and 
the  city  in  the  distance.  Euetzin  was  in  the  habit  of 
visiting  it  often,  to  enjoy,  for  a  brief  season,  the  society 
of  his  loved  and  honored  mother  and  very  dear  sister. 

It  becomes  necessary  at  this  point  for  us  to  return 
to  the  time  of  parting  between  the  tzin  and  prince, 
which  occurred  some  hours  earlier  than  the  incident 
which  opens  this  chapter. 

On  withdrawing  from  Hualcoyotl's  apartment,  Euet- 
zin made  a  hasty  preparation  to  leave  the  city.  His 
first  object  was  to  pay  a  hurried  visit  to  his  mother  and 
sister,  and  then  go  forward  in  the  performance  of  his 
mission.  When  the  necessary  preparations  for  his  de- 
parture were  completed,  he  left  the  palace,  going  out 
through  the  court  onto  a  thoroughfare,  which  he  fol- 
lowed for  some  distance.  On  reaching  the  outskirts 


36  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

of  the  city  he  took  a  southeasterly  course  and  walked 
briskly  in  the  direction  of  his  home.  He  had  about 
six  miles  to  go,  but  thought  nothing  of  it.  The  Aztec 
mode  of  traveling  was  almost  entirely  pedestrial;  in 
fact,  none  but  the  wealthy  and  the  nobility  traveled  in 
any  other  way.  The  palanquin,  a  kind  of  chair,  borne 
by  slaves  or  hired  servants,  was  their  only  conveyance 
—burden-bearing  animals  being  unknown  on  the  Ana- 
huac  previous  to  the  advent  of  the  conquerors.  The 
men  were,  as  a  consequence,  trained  pedestrians  from 
necessity  and  habit. 

As  Euetzin  neared  the  villa,  the  anxiety  to  see  his 
loved  ones  grew  upon  him,  and  his  movement  became 
proportionately  quicker.  He  had  to  pass  up  through 
the  park  to  reach  the  house;  and,  anticipating  he 
would  find  his  mother  and  sister  strolling  there,  care- 
fully guarded  his  approach  from  observation,  hoping 
to  give  them  a  sudden  and  pleasant  surprise. 

The  words  addressed  to  his  mother  by  Itlza,  and  the 
replies  were  distinctly  heard  by  the  tzin  as  he  drew 
near. 

Itlza  continued  to  address  her  mother: 

"Do  you  think,  mother,  that  the  old  king's  death 
will  effect  the  prince  in  his  retirement?"  she  asked. 

"Maxtla  will  be  king;  evil  is  in  Maxtla's  heart — the 
prince  must  beware,"  replied  the  mother. 

"Why  does  Hualcoyotl  remain  so  passively  a  pris- 
oner in  his  own  palace  ?  Is  he  a  slave  that  he  endures 
his  restraint  without  an  effort  to  obtain  his  freedom?" 
questioned  Itlza,  with  much  warmth. 

"I  know  of  but  one  way  by  which  he  might  gain  his 
freedom,  my  child;  and  that  is  too  terrible  to  think 
about." 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  37 

"You  allude  to  a  revolt,  mother?" 

"Yes,  it  was  that  I  had  in  mind;  and  yet,  though  it 
would  bring  sorrow  to  many  hearts,  and  possibly  to 
ours,  I  could  not  say  my  people  nay  should  they  at- 
tempt it,  for  they  are  but  slaves  to  the  Tepanec  king," 
replied  the  mother,  in  accents  of  sadness. 

"You  speak  truly,  mother;  for  Euet  would — "  Itlza's 
half- formed  sentence  was  here  suddenly  broken  off. 
She  was  seized  from  behind  and  held  firmly  for  a  mo- 
ment, while  a  hand  was  placed  over  her  mouth.  When 
she  was  released,  she  turned  quickly  to  learn  who  her 
assailant  was,  and  met  the  laughing  face  of  her  brother, 
who  saluted  her  in  a  most  loving  manner  and  com- 
pleted her  unfinished  sentence  by  saying: 

"Euet  would  that  you  drop  so  unpleasant  a  subject 
— there  is  only  sadness  in  it." 

"A  bad  brother  is  Euet,  to  give  his  sister  such  a 
fright !"  exclaimed  she,  pleasantly. 

The  tzin  answered  her  badinage  with  a  closer  em- 
brace; and,  releasing  her,  saluted  his  mother  in  an  af- 
fectionate manner,  who  said : 

"Euet,  my  son,  you  are  most  welcome  after  so  pro- 
tracted an  absence.  Your  sister  and  myself  were  be- 
ginning to  wonder  at  your  remaining  away  so  long, 
and  would  in  a  little  while  have  become  uneasy  about 
you." 

"My  mother  and  sister  are  very  good  to  remember 
me  so  kindly,  but  they  should  not  forget  that  Euet  is 
no  longer  a  boy.  A  man's  responsibilities  are  now  his, 
and  he  has  duties  to  perform  which  sometimes  inter- 
fere very  much  with  his  plans  for  gratifying  the  crav- 
ings of  his  heart.  I  am  not  forgetful  of  the  filial  ob- 
ligations which  bind  me  with  golden  chords  of  love  to 


38  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

my  estimable  mother  and  sweet  sister;  yet  there  are 
times,  in  the  press  of  worldlier  things,  when  even  these 
most  precious  of  all  obligations  are  neglected." 

"You  are  right,  my  son;  a  mother's  love  is  selfish. 
I  had  not  considered  well — but  you  are  tired  and  need 
refreshment.  Let  us  go  in." 

As  they  moved  toward  the  house  the  conversation 
was  continued.  The  mother  presently  inquired : 

"How  fares  the  good  prince?" 

"The  prince  is  well,  though  somewhat  dejected  at 
the  turn  affairs  have  taken  since  the  old  king's  death, 
of  which  you  have  already  heard,"  answered  the  tzin. 

"  Yes,  the  news  of  his  death  has  spread  quickly. 
Your  allusion  to  it  prompts  me  to  inquire  about  his 
successor.  Maxtla  has  ascended  the  throne,  I  suppose, 
and  now  rules  in  his  father's  stead?"  inquiringly  re- 
turned the  mother. 

"Maxtla  is  king,"  replied  Kuet;  "and  even  now 
may  be  laying  plans  for  the  destruction  of  the  prince." 

The  faces  of  the  mother  and  daughter  quickly  took 
on  an  expression  of  anxiety. 

Hualcoyotl  had  spent  many  of  his  boyhood  hours  at 
the  home  of  his  friend  Euet,  which  had  resulted  in  his 
holding  a  warm  place  in  the  heart  of  each  member  of 
the  family.  Itlza  and  her  mother  had  not  seen  him 
for  a  number  of  years,  yet  in  Euetzin  was  found  a  link 
which  bound  them  still  to  their  young  friend  of  other 
and  more  auspicious  times. 

"What  are  we  to  understand  by  those  ominous 
words,  my  son?"  inquired  the  mother  in  anxious 
tones. 

"  Good  mother,  I  will  explain,  but  not  now.  My 
walk  has  made  me  ravenous,  and  I  do  not  intend  that 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  39 

even  your  anxiety  for  the  pri  nc  shall  deprive  me  of 
my  supper,"  replied  he,  playfully. 

"  How  thoughtless  of  me  to  forget  for  a  moment 
that  you  are  hungry,"  returned  she,  with  maternal 
concern.  "  Itlza,  see  that  refreshments  are  served  im- 
mediately ;  and  now,  my  son,  you  must  pardon  your 
mother  for  her  negligence." 

"  Thank  my  mother  for  her  goodness,  rather,  in  be- 
ing thoughtful  of  my  friend,"  replied  the  tzin,  imprint- 
ing a  filial  kiss  upon  her  brow. 

This  act  and  the  accompanying  words  were  in  a  vein 
of  affectionate  mirthfulness  which  brought  the  moth- 
er's heart  into  her  eyes,  and  she  could  only  look  her 
gratitude.  The  tzin  led  her  to  the  board  where  re- 
freshments were  served,  and  mother  and  daughter 
were  soon  partaking  of  a  spirit  of  cheerfulness  which 
his  presence  imparted 

The  day  was  nearly  spent ;  approaching  night  was 
beginning  to  cast  her  shadows  over  the  earth,  and  her 
dusky  mantle  would  soon  envelope  all.  The  family 
were  seated  in  the  spacious  drawing-room  of  their 
home.  Euetzin  was  relating  the  particulars  of  the 
prince's  experience  at  the  palace  of  the  king,  and  his 
mother  and  sister  were  listening  with  the  most  intense 
interest  to  his  recital.  When  he  told  of  the  prince's 
determination  to  prepare  for  resistance,  and  that  he, 
the  tzin,  was  then  on  his  way  to  engage  in  inciting  it, 
the  mother  could  keep  silent  no  longer,  but  cried  out 
in  anguish  of  heart : 

"  Oh,  my  son,  can  it  be  that  my  fears  are  to  be  real- 
ized so  soon,  and  must  we  indeed  lose  you? " 

"Be  calm,  good  mother;  do  not  make  my  duties 
heavier  by  inflicting  greater  sadness  upon  my  heart. 


4O  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

You  would  not  counsel  your  boy  to  shrink  from  the 
call  which  most  come,  sooner  or  later,  to  every  true 
son  of  Tezcuco  ?  The  prince  has  seen  fit  to  send  me 
as  his  representative  among  the  people,  and  has 
charged  me  with  a  great  and  responsible  duty.  Shall 
the  son  of  Euzelmozin  cowardly  shirk  it,  or  shall  he, 
like  his  lamented  father,  be  fearless  in  the  face  of  dan- 
ger? What  greater  danger,  O  Teochma,  my  mother, 
could  arise  than  that  which  now  threatens  the  destruc- 
tion of  our  prince,  and  a  lower  degradation  for  our 
deeply  wronged  country?  " 

"  Forgive  me,  my  son,  if  I  showed  in  my  words  a 
feeling  of  resentment  to  the  fates  that  would  rob  me 
of  my  boy.  You  know  your  mother  too  well  to  be- 
lieve that  she  would  for  a  moment  counsel  you  con- 
trary to  the  dictates  of  patriotism.  No,  Euet ;  though 
my  heart  may  bleed  for  the  sorrow  it  will  feel,  yet 
would  I  say,  go  to  your  duty,  perform  it  to  the  best  of 
your  ability,  and  prove  yourself  a  worthy  son  of  Zel- 
mozin  and  Tezcuco." 

"  Thanks,  my  noble  mother ;  with  your  approval,  so 
patriotically  expressed,  I  will  go  out  into  the  midst  of 
dangers,  fearing  only  to  do  wrong." 

When  the  morning  came  the  tzin  was  gone,  and  the 
unwonted  stillness  of  the  villa  told  of  saddened  hearts 
within. 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  41 


CHAPTER   IV. 

WHEN  suspicious  jealousy  culminates  in  anger 
it  is  but  a  step  to  malicious  madness.  In  such 
a  conflict  of  the  passions  reason  is  unable  to  hold  its 
sway;  especially  is  this  true  if  the  natural  impulses  of 
the  heart  are  evil.  The  fatal  step  is  taken  and  de- 
struction inevitably  follows  upon  the  victim,  and  too 
often  upon  those  who  are  innocently  the  cause. 

Maddened  at  the  sight  of  his  supposed  rival,  and  no 
longer  the  unimpassioned  arbiter  of  a  king's  court, 
Maxtla,  immediately  on  the  withdrawal  of  Prince  Hu- 
alcoyotl,  dismissed  from  his  presence  the  chiefs  and 
vassals  about  him,  and  retired  to  his  own  apartment, 
where,  by  giving  way  to  the  dominant  passions  of  his 
nature,  he  wrought  himself  into  a  very  demon.  In  his 
terrible  anger  he  resolved  that  Hualcoyotl  should  die, 
and  ordered  a  meeting  of  his  privy  council,  whose 
duty  it  was  to  pass  upon  the  decisions  of  the  king,  to 
take  place  at  once. 

The  council  convened  in  a  chamber  set  apart  for 
that  purpose.  When  the  members  were  all  seated  the 
king  addressed  them.  He  appeared  unusually  stern 
and  determined,  and  evidenced  the  deep,  terrible,  and 
inflexible  purpose  \vhich  moved  him.  He  said  : 

"  Your  king  has  commanded  your  presence  here  at 
this  hour  to  obtain  your  approval  to  a  decree  of  death, 
which  he  has  laid  upon  one  who  is  a  menace  to  our 


42  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

authority.  Hualcoyotl,  the  prince  of  Tezcuco,  is  the 
only  surviving  heir  to  the  Tezcucan  crown.  While  he 
is  permitted  to  live  the  Tepanec  supremacy  over  that 
nation  will  be  as  unstable  as  would  a  habitation  on 
yonder  burning  mountain.*  The  voice  of  the  mur- 
muring wind  is  not  more  distinct  than  is  the  murmur 
of  repining  and  disaffection  which  rises  from  among 
our  subjugated  vassals,  the  Tezcucans,  who  would  have 
this  prince  to  rule  over  them.  Shall  we  fold  our  arms 
and  wait  for  the  storm  of  insurrection  and  rebellion, 
which  his  existence  makes  possible,  to  sweep  down 
upon  and  overwhelm  us,  or  shall  we  be  wise  in  pre- 
cluding the  possibility  of  such  an  event  by  his  re- 
moval? The  desolation  of  our  kingdom  would  no 
doubt  be  attempted,  and  possibly  accomplished,  should 
he  be  raised  to  power ;  and  I  warn  you,  if  accomplish- 
ed, more  than  Maxtla  would  find  a  grave  beneath  the 
ruins.  We  must  strike,  worthy  chiefs,  nobles,  for  self- 
preservation.  Your  king  has  decreed  it — Hualcoyotl 
must  die ;  are  you  prepared  to  approve  the  decision  ?  " 

The  members  of  the  council  felt  that  the  king  was 
in  no  humor  to  brook  opposition,  and  as  it  was  a  per- 
sonal as  well  as  public  consideration  with  them  the 
decree  was  confirmed. 

It  was  decided,  in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  the 
king,  to  have  the  prince  put  out  of  the  way  in  a  quiet 
manner.  Agreeable  to  this  decision,  arrangements 
were  made  for  a  private  party  to  be  given  by  one  of 
the  king's  officers  in  Tezcuco,  to  which  the  prince  was 
to  have  a  cordial  and  pressing  invitation,  and  at  which 
he  was  to  be  secretly  put  to  death. 

Itzalmo  was  informed  of  the  diabolical  plotting  of 

*  Popocatepetl. 


A   PRINCE    OP   AN  AH  U  AC.  43 

the  conspirators  by  a  friend  who  was  close  to  the  king, 
and  shrewdly  defeated  their  design  to  assassinate  his 
young  master;  but  tradition  says  another  perished  in 
his  stead. 

The  failure  of  the  plan  to  entrap  the  prince  so  en- 
raged the  king  that  he  threw  off  all  disguise  and  pub- 
licly proclaimed  the  decree  condemning  him  to  death. 
The  execution  of  the  mandate  was  imposed  upon  one 
of  his  chief  officers,  who  was  ordered  to  go  with  a  par- 
ty of  soldiers  to  Tezcuco,  and  there  to  enter  the  palace, 
seize  the  prince  and  put  him  to  death. 


On  the  second  day  subsequent  to  the  one  on  which 
the  attempt  was  made  to  create  an  opportunity  in 
which  to  assassinate  the  prince — the  consummation  of 
which  was  prevented  by  the  old  preceptor's  cunning, 
Hualcoyotl  was  seated  alone  in  his  private  'apartment. 
There  was  a  notable  change  in  his  appearance.  The 
past  few  days,  with  their  important  and,  to  him,  momen- 
tous events,  had  made  him  seem  older.  The  youth- 
fulness  and  freshness  of  his  former  self  were  gone,  and 
the  sternness  of  a  determined  man  had  settled  upon 
him. 

The  tzin  had  been  gone  several  days,  and  the  impor- 
tance of  his  mission  under  the  light  of  recent  develop- 
ments was  greatly  heightened.  The  prince  felt  that 
his  friend's  prediction  relative  to  the  king's  probable 
conduct  toward  himself  was  likely  to  be  verified ;  yet 
he  hoped  for  time,  that  organized  resistance  might  be 
effected  before  extreme  measures  were  resorted  to  by 
his  enemy.  Still  he  was  not  sanguine :  the  uncer- 
tainty of  the  situation  because  of  the  meagerness  of 


44  A.   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

knowledge  possessed  regarding  the  temper  and  dispo- 
sition of  his  people  was  a  source  of  discouragement. 
A  consciousness  of  his  present  helpless  state,  also,  had 
its  depressing  effect.  Hope,  however,  supported  by  a 
strong  faith  in  the  patriotism  of  his  immediate  friends 
sustained  him.  He  could  not  work,  and  had  fallen  into 
one  of  his  thoughtful  moods.  His  countenance  was 
ever  expressive  of  his  emotions,  the  character  of  his 
thoughts  being  clearly  reflected  upon  it.  Now  a  dark 
cloud  would  cover  his  face,  its  shadows  deepened  and 
intensified  by  the  flashes  of  angry  light  which  gleamed 
from  his  dark  eyes,  plainly  showing  the  feelings  which 
agitated  his  troubled  and  fearless  soul.  Again,  the  sub- 
duing influence  of  more  gentle  thoughts  would  follow, 
and  the  hard  lines  upon  his  countenance  would  pass 
away,  giving  place  to  a  softened  expression  which  clear- 
ly said  the  nobler  man  within  had  risen,  and  that 
thoughts  according  with  his  better  nature  held  his 
mind. 

Love  of  country,  pity  for  his  oppressed  people,  sor- 
row for  those  whose  loss  he  mourned,  and  affection  for 
his  immediate  friends  and  companions  were  ruling 
passions  in  him,  and  could  not  be  repressed  for  any 
great  length  of  time.  So  he  sat  and"  pondered,  trains 
of  thought  the  while,  ladened  with  bitter  and  sweet, 
coursing  their  way  across  his  active  brain,  till  suddenly 
he  exclaimed:  "  Beware  !  O  Maxtla,  perfidious  monster; 
the  hunted  ocelotl*  may  turn  and  rend  you."  With 
these  words,  which  broke  the  spell,  Hualcoyotl  awoke 
from  his  reverie,  little  dreaming  that  at  that  very  mo- 
ment death  was  on  his  track  and  closely  stealing  to 
take  him  unaware. 


*  The  Mexican  tiger-cat. 


A   PRINCE   OP   ANAHUAC.  45 

The  news  of  the  issuing  of  the  king's  decree  con- 
demning the  prince  to  death  had  just  reached  Itzalmo ; 
and,  almost  at  the  same  moment  in  which  Hualcoyotl 
uttered  the  exclamation  which  broke  in  on  his  reverie, 
a  servant  approached  his  door  to  say  that  the  watchful 
old  servitor  wished  to  communicate  with  him. 

"  Inform  Itzalmo  that  I  will  see  him  in  his  own 
apartment,"  said  the  prince,  in  answer  to  the  message. 

Hualcoyotl  was  greatly  surprised  on  entering  the 
old  man's  room  to  find  him  very  much  agitated,  and  at 
once  surmised  that  something  of  a  very  serious  nature 
was  the  matter;  for  Itzalmo  was  ever  dignified  and 
composed  in  his  demeanor,  seldom  permitting  anything 
to  visibly  disturb  him.  After  the  accustomed  civilities 
he  addressed  the  prince : 

"  I  have  just  received  startling  intelligence  from  our 
friends  at  the  palace  of  Maxtla  to  the  effect,  most  noble 
prince,  that  your  life  is  in  imminent  peril.  The  fail- 
ure of  the  king's  plan  to  entrap  you  two  days  since 
has  so  enraged  his  majesty  that  he  has  thrown  off  all 
restraint,  and  publicly  proclaims  your  existence  a 
menace  to  his  authority,  and  that  it  must  be  termi- 
nated. He  has  ordered  an  officer  with  a  number  of 
soldiers  to  come  here  and  murder  you — yes,  murder 
you  in  your  own  palace.  Your  only  safety  lies  in 
flight.  Go  at  once,  O  Prince ;  for  they  may  come  at 
any  moment." 

Hualcoyotl's  habitual  serenity  was  somewhat  shaken 
by  the  knowledge  of  his  public  condemnation  to  death ; 
but  it  was  only  for  a  moment,  for  he  quickly  recover- 
ed, and  when  Itzalmo  finished  speaking,  said : 

"  You  are  a  true  friend  to  me,  Itzalmo,  but  in  your 
anxiety  for  the  safety  of  your  prince  forget  your  teach- 


46  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

ings.  What  you  propose  might  be  the  best  thing  to 
do ;  such  a  course,  however,  would  not  be  in  accordance 
with  my  training;  neither  would  it  meet  the  approval 
of  my  feelings.  No,  good  friend,  I'll  turn  my  back 
upon  no  man.  Let  them  come — I  will  remain  to  re- 
ceive them." 

"  You,  O  Hualcoyotl,  prince  of  Tezcuco,  forget  your 
duty  to  your  people,  and  remember  only  your  pride  of 
honor,"  remonstrated  Itzalmo. 

"  My  dear,  good  friend,  I  forget  nothing,  except  that 
I  am  Maxtla's  slave,"  returned  the  prince,  with  flashing 
eyes.  "  If  the  gods  forsake  us  not,"  continued  he, 
"  Hualcoyotl,  prince  of  Tezcuco,  will  yet  meet  this 
monster  king  on  equal  terms,  and  when  he  does,  the 
skill  at  arms  which  thou  hast  taught  shall  serve  him 
well;  or,  failing,  leave  him  a  lifeless  thing  at  Maxtla's 
feet !  A  truce  to  further  discussion  of  the  matter  ex- 
cept as  to  where  and  how  these  assassins  are  to  be  re- 
ceived." 

Itzalmo  was  greatly  discouraged  by  the  prince's 
refusal  to  fly  the  palace,  but  not  less  determined  to  do 
all  in  his  power  to  save  him.  It  was  agreed  that  he 
should  repair  to  the  court  and  engage  in  a  game  of  ball, 
trusting  to  his  good  luck  and  the  cunning  of  the  old 
tutor  to  deliver  him  from  the  dangers  which  encom- 
passed him. 

When  the  soldiers  arrived  they  were  received  in  the 
palace  and  informed  that  Hualcoyotl  was  playing  at 
ball  in  the  court.  This  had  the  desired  effect  of  lead- 
ing the  officer  to  infer  that  he  had  found  the  prince 
and  his  household  ignorant  of  the  contemplated 
assassination  of  the  former;  thus  rendering  it  less  dif- 
ficult for  Itzalmo  to  further  and  accomplish  any  medi- 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  47 

tated  plan  looking  to  the  frustration  of  the  murderous 
design  upon  his  young  master's  life. 

When  the  soldiers  reached  the  court  they  were  re- 
ceived in  ^a  very  courteous  manner  by  the  prince,  who 
said : 

"  The  soldiers  of  Maxtla,  the  king,  do  me  great  hon- 
or in  visiting  my  palace  at  this  time,  and  will  add  to 
my  pleasure  if  they  will  enter  with  me  and  partake  of 
refreshments  to  relieve  the  fatigue  of  their  journey." 

The  prince's  demeanor  was  dignified  and  fearless, 
and  his  speech  the  essence  of  suavity,  which  threw  the 
officer  off  his  guard,  who,  feeling  secure  in  the  ulti- 
mate accomplishment  of  his  purpose,  replied  : 

"  Hualcoyotl,  the  prince,  honors  the  king's  service 
in  extending  to  his  soldiers  the  hospitality  of  his 
board,  and  as  the  soldiers  of  the  king  are  not  unlike 
other  men,  but,  like  other  men,  require  sustenance, 
they  accept  the  kind  irivitation." 

The  prince  led  the  way  to  the  banqueting  hall, 
where  the  party  was  seated  and  refreshments  ordered 
to  be  served.  The  refreshments  were  brought  from  an 
adjoining  saloon,  between  which  and  the  banqueting 
hall  was  a  broad,  arched  doorway,  with  hangings,  or 
portieres,  richly  adorned  with  gold  and  other  trim- 
mings, now  drawn  to  each  side  and  held  by  ornamen- 
tal holders. 

It  was  the  custom  of  the  natives  of  Anahuac,  when 
an  honored  guest  was  being  entertained,  to  place  a 
burning  censer  in  a  conspicuous  place  and  feed  it  with 
aromatics  during  the  time  of  entertainment.  The  cen- 
ser, on  this  occasion,  was  placed  in  the  doorway  be- 
tween the  banqueting  hall  and  saloon. 

While  the  party  were  engaged  in  eating  and  drink- 


48  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

ing,  the  prince  suddenly  had  occasion  to  call  a  servant. 
No  servant  responded  to  the  call,  however,  which 
seemed  to  arouse  his  ire.  With  an  impatient  gesture 
he  arose  from  his  place  at  the  board  and  passed  to  the 
saloon  as  if  in  search  of  one.  As  he  left  the  hall  a  fresh 
supply  of  aromatics  was  thrown  into  the  censer,  send- 
ing up  dense  clouds  of  incense,  which  enveloped  him 
and  filled  the  doorway,  thus  obscuring  his  movements 
from  the  eyes  of  the  soldiers.  At  this  moment  a  serv- 
ant entered  from  another  direction,  as  if  in  answer  to 
the  prince's  summons. 

"  Did  my  master  call?  "  he  inquired. 

"  He  did,"  replied  the  officer,  "  and  is  now  in  search 
of  you." 

The  servant  busied  himself  about  the  table  for  a 
short  time,  and  then  took  a  position  at  a  respectful  dis- 
tance, apparently  waiting  his  master's  return. 

The  minutes  went  by  and  the  prince  did  not  return. 
It  suddenly  dawned  upon  the  mind  of  the  officer  that 
something  was  being  done  to  thwart  him — that  he  had 
been  duped ;  and,  quickly  rising  from  his  seat,  he 
rushed  into  the  saloon,  followed  by  his  men.  No  trace 
of  the  prince  was  found,  and  a  general  search  of  the 
palace  was  ordered.  It  proved  fruitless,  however,  for 
the  prince  was  not  discovered,  nor  could  anything  be 
learned  from  the  servants  concerning  him.  He  had 
vanished,  to  all  appearances,  in  the  clouds  of  incense 
which  enveloped  him  as  he  passed  from  the  banquet- 
ing hall  to  the  saloon. 


A  PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  49 


CHAPTER  V. 

AMONG  the  many  ruins  of  ancient  Mexico,  and 
not  the  least  of  interest  and  wonder,  were  those 
of  the  great  aqueducts,  by  means  of  which  vast  quan- 
tities of  water  were  brought  from  distant  points  to 
supply  an  extensive  system  of  irrigation,  and,  pre- 
sumably, the  palaces  and  villas  of  the  rulers  and  their 
wealthy  adherents. 

The  Tezcucan  palace,  while  Hualcoyotl's  father  was 
yet  a  prosperous  and  independent  sovereign,  was  fur- 
nished with  all  the  advantages  attainable,  among 
which  was  an  abundant  supply  of  water,  brought  into 
the  palace  through  a  large  conduit,  or  earthen  pipe. 
After  the  subjugation  of  the  Tezcucans,  and  death  of 
their  king,  this  pipe  fell  into  disuse  and  ruin. 

There  was  a  passageway  leading  from  within  the 
palace  to  the  abandoned  conduit,  which  was  concealed 
by  a  secret  door.  In  this  outlet  Itzalmo  saw  a  sure 
avenue  of  deliverance  for  his  young  master,  and  de- 
vised a  plan  of  escape  for  him  through  its  offered 
adaptedness,  which  was  successfully  carried  out,  as 
recorded  at  the  close  of  the  last  chapter. 

The  plan  of  escape,  so  ingeniously  devised  by  the 
old  preceptor,  was  communicated  to  the  prince,  who, 
after  being  again  urged  to  save  himself  for  the  sake 
of  his  people,  concluded  to  acquiesce ;  for  he  began  to 
realize  that  death  certainly  awaited  him  should  he 


50  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

remain,  while  in  the  plan  of  Itzalmo  there  was  hope,  a 
strong  argument  against  his  false  notion  of  defiance  in 
the  face  of  such  overwhelming  odds. 

When  Hualcoyotl  left  the  banqueting  hall  and  en- 
tered the  saloon  he  was  hurried  to  and  through  the 
secret  door  into  the  passageway  and  on  to  the  conduit, 
where  he  found  present  security.  It  was  not  his  pur- 
pose to  reenter  the  palace,  but  to  follow  the  pipe  to  a 
point  where  an  opening  had,  in  the  gradual  decay  of 
the  structure,  appeared  in  its  side,  and  from  there 
make  his  escape.  To  do  this  was  not  an  easy  task,  for 
he  had  a  considerable  distance  to  go,  and  the  pipe 
being  too  small  to  permit  him  to  rise,  he  was  com- 
pelled to  proceed  in  a  crawling  manner,  and,  fre- 
quently, to  work  his  way  through  accumulated  ob- 
structions. After  much  vexatious  toiling  he  found 
himself  nearing  the  opening  in  the  conduit,  through 
which  he  expected  to  make  his  exit.  A  flood  of  light, 
most  welcome,  was  streaming  in  through  the  breach, 
the  sight  of  which  freshened  his  flagging  energies  and 
relieved  the  arduousness  of  his  advance.  The  goal 
was  finally  reached,  and  just  beyond  was  freedom — to 
him,  however,  a  freedom  to  be  gained  only  under  cover 
of  darkness. 

It  had  been  arranged  that  the  prince  should  remain 
in  the  conduit  until  night,  when,  at  a  preconcerted 
;  signal,  to  be  given  by  his  faithful  and  trusted  attend- 
ant, Oza,  to  assure  him  that  the  way  was  clear,  he 
should  come  forth  and  be  conducted  to  a  place  of 
safety. 

The  time  passed  tediously  to  the  anxious  fugitive  in 
his  close  quarters,  and  he  was  beginning  to  feel  the 
effect  of  it  on  his  endurance,  when  his  attention  was 


A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  51 

attracted  by  a  sound  not  unfamiliar.  A  short  period 
of  silence  ensued,  and  then  followed  the  signal  to  quit 
the  conduit.  He  was  quickly  at  Oza's  side,  of  whom 
he  inquired : 

"Whither  do  we  go?" 

"  To  the  cottage  of  Kan,  the  weaver.  Let  my  mas- 
ter follow  his  servant,"  cautiously  replied  Oza,  moving 
noiselessly  away. 

While  Hualcoyotl  was  waiting  in  the  conduit  for 
night  to  come  to  his  relief,  a  former  vassal  and  ardent 
adherent  of  his  father's,  a  weaver  of  nequen  (maguey 
cloth)  by  the  name  of  Kan,  who  lived  on  the  outskirts 
of  the  city,  was  seen  and  consulted  with  reference  to 
his  safety.  The  weaver  immediately  interested  him- 
self in  the  son  of  his  old  master,  and  proposed  that  he 
be  brought  to  his  cottage,  where  he  could  remain  until 
a  better  and  safer  refuge  was  found  for  him.  The 
proposal  was  gladly  acceded  to,  and  the  fugitive,  at 
leaving  the  conduit,  was  conducted  to  his  house,  where 
he  was  made  comfortable  and  secure  for  the  time 
being. 


The  officer  who  had  charge  of  the  expedition  to  the 
Tezcucan  palace,  with  a  view  to  taking  Hualcoyotl's 
life,  was  greatly  chagrined  at  the  effectual  manner  in 
which  he  was  tricked.  After  exhausting  his  ingenuity 
in  futile  efforts  to  find  a  clue  to  the  prince's  mysteri- 
ous disappearance,  he  placed  a  guard  over  the  palace 
and  returned  in  haste  to  his  master,  the  king,  to  whom 
he  reported  the  failure  of  his  mission,  but  in  such 
manner  as  to  save  his  own  head,  which  would  no 
doubt  have  been  required  of  him  for  his  incautious- 
ness,  had  the  king  been  correctly  informed. 


52  A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC. 

Maxtla  became  greatly  enraged  when  he  learned  of 
the  failure  of  the  expedition  and  escape  of  his  hated 
rival.  Troops  of  armed  men  were  ordered  to  scour 
the  country  in  every  direction  in  search  of  him,  and, 
in  addition,  a  large  reward  was  offered  for  his  capture, 
dead  or  alive.  The  hand  of  a  noble  lady,  and  a  rich 
domain  to  accompany  it,  was  promised  to  whoever 
should  take  him,  regardless  of  the  captor's  previous 
condition  in  life. 

The  perils  to  which  the  prince  was  being  subjected 
by  his  powerful  enemy,  and  the  persistent  efforts 
made  to  destroy  him,  were  becoming  generally  known. 
Among  his  friends — the  Tezcucans,  who  were  deeply 
incensed  at  the  unjust  treatment  of  their  favorite — 
a  latent  hatred  of  everything  Tepanec  was  being 
wrought  into  a  feeling  of  antagonism,  which  was  rap- 
idly engendering  a  spirit  of  resistance  to  the  relent- 
less and  malicious  persecutor. 

"  Whom  the  gods  would  destroy  they  first  make 
mad,"  was  assuredly  exemplified  in  the  brief  and  des- 
potic career  of  the  tyrant  Maxtla ;  for  by  his  unkingly 
conduct  toward  the  unoffending  Hualcoyotl  he  was 
digging  a  pit,  so  to  speak,  broad  and  deep,  which 
would  engulf  not  only  himself,  but  his  nation  as  well, 
of  whose  proud  capital,  the  royal  city  of  Azcapozalco, 
no  vestige  would  remain  to  mark  the  spot  whereon  it 
stood ;  nor  track,  nor  trace  of  all  the  mighty  host  of 
those  o'er  whom  by  right  he  ruled,  but  only  waste 
and  desolated  space,  on  which,  to  emphasize  a  con- 
queror's hate,  it  was  decreed  the  slave-man's  mart 
should  be.* 


*  NOTE. — The  royal  city  of  Azcapozalco  was  razed  to  the 
ground,  and  the  wasted  territory  was  henceforth  reserved  as 
the  great  slave-mart  for  the  nations  of  Anahuac. — Prescott. 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  53 

Some  days  subsequent  to  the  coming  of  Hualcoyotl 
to  the  weaver's  cottage  a  band  of  soldiers  appeared  in 
its  vicinity.  Every  house  was  being  searched,  and  it 
was  soon  learned  that  he  was  the  object  of  the  search. 
Measures  were  immediately  taken  to  prevent  his  dis- 
covery. 

When  two  of  the  soldiers  presently  entered  Kan's 
place  they  found  him  busily  engaged  at  his  work,  pre- 
paring the  fibers  of  maguey  for  the  loom,  a  quantity 
of  which  was  lying  in  piles  about  him.  One  of  the 
men,  addressing  him,  said: 

"  The  soldiers  of  the  king  are  searching  for  Hual- 
coyotl, the  fugitive  prince,  who  is  thought  to  be  hiding 
somewhere  in  this  part  of  the  city.  We  are  here  to 
look  through  your  cottage,  weaver." 

"The  soldiers  of  the  king  know  their  duty,  and 
must  perform  it,  though  it  will  avail  them  nothing  to 
search  my  place.  Kan,  the  weaver,  has  other  business 
to  occupy  his  time  than  that  of  hiding  royal  aristo- 
crats, who  would  take  no  more  account  of  his  life  than 
they  would  of  an  ocelotl's,"  was  the  curt  and  not 
inapt  reply. 

"There  is  truth  in  what  you  say,  weaver,"  returned 
the  soldier.  "  Small  value  is  put  upon  a  man's  life  by 
them,  especially  if  he  is  in  their  way." 

Without  further  delay  he  proceeded,  with  his  com- 
panion, to  search  the  few  apartments  of  the  cottage, 
giving  them  a  thorough  examination. 

Kan  never  worked  more  diligently  than  he  did 
while  the  soldiers  were  looking  through  his  place. 
The  fibers  of  the  maguey  fairly  flew  through  his 
hands,  and  higher  and  wider  grew  the  pile  of  thready 
stuff  at  his  left.  Although  his  movements  were  rapid, 


54  A  PRINCE   OF  AN  AH  U  AC. 

he  showed  no  evidence  of  disquiet.  His  countenance 
wore  its  customary  stern  look,  and  yet,  beneath,  there 
was  poignant  solicitude  for  his  royal  charge.  It  ap- 
pears to  have  been  a  characteristic  of  his  people  to 
forget  self  in  their  devotion  to  others.  He  took  no 
account  of  his  own  personal  risk :  the  penalty  he  in- 
curred in  harboring  the  fugitive — a  penalty  the  meas- 
ure of  which  would  depend  on  the  caprice  of  a  suspi- 
cious and  tyrannizing  king. 

After  a  protracted  search  into  all  the  nooks  and 
secret  places  about  the  weaver's  premises,  the  men  re- 
turned to.  the  room  in  which  he  was  working.  This 
room  was  quite  plain,  without  recess  or  other  recepta- 
cle where  a  man  might  have  found  concealment.  The 
spokesman  looked  critically  over  it,  and  said : 

"  The  fugitive  is  surely  not  hiding  with  you,  friend ; 
for  we  find  nothing  of  a  suspicious  character  about 
your  house.  Sorry  we  were  obliged  to  trouble  you, 
but  orders  must  be  obeyed." 

"  Right,  soldier !  "  returned  Kan.  "  You  have  per- 
formed your  duty,  and  no  harm  has  been  done." 

The  weaver  spoke  with  affected  carelessness,  which 
he  did  not  feel,  for  every  moment  which  the  soldiers 
spent  in  the  room  was  one  of  anxiety  to  him. 

Casting  his  eyes  over  the  apartment  once  more,  the 
soldier  said : 

"  Since  everything  with  you  appears  straight  and 
satisfactory,  we'll  relieve  you  of  our  presence.  Good 
luck  to  you,  weaver." 

"  The  same  to  the  soldiers  of  the  king,"  replied  Kan, 
with  a  supreme  effort  at  indifference,  as  the  searchers 
turned  to  leave  his  place. 

The  party  was  hardly  beyond  the  curtained  doorway 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  55 

when  the  weaver's  assumed  carelessness  gave  place  to 
cautiousness. 

"  Hist !  do  not  stir !  "  he  ejaculated  guardedly.  Ris- 
ing, he  went  to  a  small  window,  a  safe  point  from 
which  to  watch  the  soldiers'  movements.  When  he 
was  satisfied  they  would  not  return,  and  that  all  pres- 
ent danger  was  past,  he  went  to  the  pile  of  selected 
fibers,  which  had  grown  so  rapidly  under  his  supreme 
efforts  while  the  soldiers  were  searching  his  place,  and, 
lifting  them,  said : 

"  You  may  rise  now  from  your  uncomfortable  posi- 
tion. The  soldiers  seem  to  be  satisfied  with  their 
search  of  my  premises,  and  are  gone." 

The  prince  rose  from  the  floor,  on  which  he  had  been 
lying  beneath  the  pile  of  fibers,  and,  glancing  at  his 
greatly  disordered  apparel,  said,  in  a  soliloquizing  man- 
ner : 

"  Hualcoyotl  is  indeed  fallen.  I  never  expected  to 
reach  a  state  so  far  beneath  my  manhood  as  this ;  but, 
since  it  is  for  country  and  freedom,  submission  must 
be  the  rule,  however  humiliating  the  conditions."  Fix- 
ing his  eyes  on  the  weaver,  he  continued  :  "  Your  reply 
to  the  soldier,  Kan,  in  which  you  referred  to  royal 
aristocrats  and  the  indifference  usually  shown  by  them 
for  the  lives  of  their  subjects,  has  taught  me  a  valuable 
lesson — one  that  I  will  not  soon  forget.  It  is  too  true 
that  rulers  are  often  disposed  to  hold  the  lives  of  their 
subjects  lightly.  Should  it  be  my.  good  fortune  to 
regain  my  heritage,  Kan  and  his  words,  so  aptly 
spoken,  shall  not  be  forgotten." 

"  I  pray,  O  Prince,  that  you  will  believe  me.  The 
words  were  not  spoken  out  of  disrespect,  but  to  mis- 
lead the  soldier  that  his  search  might  not  be  too  close." 


56  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

Spoken  humbly  and  out  of  fear  that  he  had  given 
offense.  "  Kan  is  only  one  of  many,"  he  continued, 
"who  would  delight  in  serving  and  honoring  Hual- 
coyotl  as  their  king." 

"It  does  not  matter,  Kan,  what  prompted  the  use  of 
the  words,"  replied  the  prince,  kindly;  "they  were 
well  said  and  timely,  and  you  need  have  no  regrets  for 
having  uttered  them.  At  this  moment  I  may  be  in- 
debted to  them  for  my  liberty,  if  not  my  life.  But  let 
them  pass ;  I  would  not  they  were  unsaid.  My  escape 
from  detection  was  narrow,  indeed,"  he  went  on ;  "and 
due,  my  faithful  friend,  to  your  sagacity  alone.  I  can 
no  longer  consent  to  your  life  and  home  being  put  in 
jeopardy  on  my  account.  There  is  no  place  in  Tez- 
cuco  that  will  furnish  me  a  safe  retreat — my  flight 
must  be  resumed.  I  will  go  into  the  mountains,  in  the 
direction  of  Tlascala,  where  refuge  may  be  found  in 
their  fastnesses  until  my  people  are  ready  to  avenge 
themselves  on  the  authors  of  their  degradation.  If  you 
will  find  a  way,  Kan,  to  inform  Oza  that  I  would  see 
him,  you  will  confer  a  favor  which  may  be  the  last  you 
will  have  an  opportunity  to  bestow  upon  your  unfor- 
tunate guest."  The  prince's  closing  words  expressed 
deep  dejection,  and  Kan  hastened  to  answer  by  way  of 
encouragement : 

"  May  the  son  of  my  murdered  master  be  mistaken 
in  that,  is  the  prayer  of  Kan.  May  he  live  to  deliver 
his  people  from  the  power  of  the  hated  Maxtla,  and 
be  crowned  king  in  the  place  of  his  noble  father !  " 

"You  have  my  thanks,  Kan,  for  your  kind  and 
prayerful  words ;  and,  now,  let  Oza  be  summoned  and 
preparations  made  for  my  departure  to-night." 

Oza  came,  and  on   being  informed  of  the  prince's 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  57 

purpose,  became  greatly  worried  over  it.  That  he 
should  go  off  to  the  mountains  alone  was  not  to  be 
thought  of  for  a  moment.  He  was  willing  and  ready 
to  share  his  master's  hardships,  and  insisted  on  being 
permitted  to  do  so  with  so  much*  earnestness  and  show 
of  fealty  that  Hualcoyotl  finally  consented  that  he 
should,  for  a  few  days  at  least. 

The  preparations  for  their  departure  were  speedily 
consummated,  including  a  visit  by  Oza  to  the  palace ; 
and  night,  which  was  to  shield  them  in  their  flight, 
was  waited  for  in  patient  silence. 

When  the  hour  came  for  leaving,  the  prince  bade  his 
preserver  a  kind  good-bye,  with  promises  of  future 
remembrance,  and,  with  Oza  for  a  companion,  went 
out  into  the  darkness — a  fugitive  from  an  unjust  con- 
demnation. 


58  A   PRINCE   OF   AN  AH  U  AC. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

OFF  from  Lake  Tezcuco,  in  the  direction  of  Tlas- 
cala,  the  country  is  rough  and  mountainous, 
and,  at  the  time  in  which  our  story  is  laid,  was  a  wild 
and  woody  district.  We  are  not  informed  as  to  what 
nation  or  nations  then  possessed  this  territory;  but, 
from  the  fact  that  it  was  a  common  hunting-ground, 
and  frequently  invaded  by  bands  of  soldiers,  irre- 
spective of  tribal  connections,  it  may  be  inferred  that 
it  was  regarded  neutral.  Since  this  phase  of  the  ques- 
tion is  best  suited  to  our  purpose,  we  accept  it  as  the 
true  one. 

Notwithstanding  the  wildness  of  the  country,  it  had 
its  denizens,  though  few  in  number  and  sparsely  locat- 
ed. There  were  narrow,  level  stretches  of  ground- 
plateaus,  found  here  and  there  on  the  range,  some- 
times extending  for  miles  around  the  base  of  a  moun- 
tain, or  along  the  cliffs  and  crags  which  abounded. 
These  plateaus,  in  most  cases,  were  places  of  habita- 
tion ;  the  men  occupying  them  being  of  a  class  who 
preferred  the  life  of  a  free  mountaineer  to  living  in 
the  thickly  settled  districts.  The  territory  was  ex- 
tensive, and  game,  consisting  of  wild  fowl  and  small 
animals,  was  abundant.  Herein  was  the  charm  which 
made  a  life  there  one  of  preference  to  those  who  found 
a  home  upon  it.  The  occupation  of  the  inhabitants 
was,  therefore,  chiefly  that  of  hunting  ;  and  it  may  be 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  59 

added,  in  this  connection,  that  many  of  the  markets  of 
the  valley  towns  and  cities  were  indebted  to  them  for 
their  supply  of  wild  meats. 

Some  of  the  more,  thrifty  and  accumulative  residents 
cultivated  the  plateaus  on  which  they  had  fixed  their 
habitations.  When  such  was  the  case  the  mountaineer 
divided  his  time  between  farming  and  hunting;  and, 
in  some  instances,  a  surprising  degree  of  prosperity 
and  comfort  was  the  result.  The  better  class  prided 
themselves  on  their  hospitality,  and  often  carried  it  to 
a  fault,  to  the  truth  of  which  hunters  from  the  valley, 
and  others  who  made  excursions  into  the  district,  were 
ever  ready  to  bear  witness. 

The  most  prominent  person  living  in  this  mountain- 
ous region,  and  one  who  will  hold  a  conspicuous  place 
in  our  narrative,  was  a  man  named  Tezcot,  who  did 
farming,  beside  being  a  most  successful  hunter.  He 
was  a  person  of  intelligence,  and  showed  in  his  inter- 
course with  men  that  he  had  been  well  trained  in  his 
youth.  He  was  never  heard  to  refer  to  his  early  life, 
and  all  that  could  be  learned  of  it  was,  that,  for  causes 
best  known  to  himself,  he  had  cut  loose  from  his 
people,  and,  with  his  young  wife,  sought  and  found  a 
home  among  the  free  hunters  of  the  mountains. 

As  the  years  passed,  this  man  grew  in  the  estimation 
of  his  fellow  mountaineers,  until  his  position  among 
them  became  one  of  preeminence.  His  goodness  of 
heart,  integrity  of  purpose,  and  excellent  judgment 
made  him  a  wise  counselor.  He  was,  consequently, 
consulted  on  all  questions  of  importance.  His  advice 
was  invariably  good,  and  his  decisions  on  questions  re- 
ferred to  him  for  adjustment  were  always  acquiesced 
in.  As  a  result,  peace  and  harmony  prevailed  where 


60  A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

confusion  and  discord  might  otherwise  have  been  ex- 
pected. He  was  nominally  the  hunters'  chief,  ruling 
them  by  the  power  of  his  wisdom,  integrity,  and 
kindness. 

Tezcot's  dwelling  was,  comparatively,  of  a  superior 
character.  It  was  constructed  of  stone,  and  thatched 
with  maguey  leaves,  and  contained  several  apartments 
designed  for  supplying  the  needs  of  a  family.  Com- 
modious porches  protected  its  front  and  rear  from  the 
heat  of  a  tropical  sun,  and  furnished  a  pleasant  retreat 
in  leisure  hours  for  the  inmates.  It  was,  altogether,  a 
very  convenient  mountain  home. 

In  addition  to  the  dwelling  there  were  quarters  for 
servants,  whom  the  mountaineer  kept  to  perform  the 
necessary  labor  about  the  place.* 

The  farm  work  was  conducted  mostly  by  an  experi- 
enced and  trusted  vassal,  while  much  of  the  master's 
time  was  spent  on  the  mountains  in  pursuit  of  game. 

Tezcot's  household  consisted  of  himself,  his  wife, 
and  two  daughters.  The  eldest  daughter,  who  was 
about  eighteen  years  of  age,  was  a  fine  specimen  of  the 
Indian  maiden,  the  pride  of  her  immediate  friends,  and 
an  object  of  admiration  to  all  who  knew  her.  She  was 
known  among  the  denizens  of  the  range  as  the  "  Moun- 
tain Princess,"  to  which  appellation  she  was  certainly 
entitled,  if  personal  graces  and  womanly  charms,  to- 
gether with  the  prominence  of  her  father,  counted  in 
the  elemental  forces  which  fixed  upon  her  a  title  so 
expressive  of  the  high  esteem  in  which  she  was  held. 
Mitla  was  the  name  bestowed  upon  this  nymph  of  the 


*NoTE. — Voluntary  servitude  obtained  among  the  Anahuac- 
ans,  and  of  this  class  were  those  who  served  with  Tezcot,  the 
hunter. 


A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  6 1 

hills  by  her  parents,  and  by  which  she  will  hereafter 
be  known. 

The  second  daughter  of  the  hunter  was  not  so 
queenly  as  her  sister,  and,  being  the  younger,  was 
looked  upon  as  lit.tle  more  than  a  child.  Her  fifteen 
years  were  not  sufficient  to  gain  for  her  the  considera- 
tion accorded  the  "  Mountain  Princess."  Oxletta,  or 
Oxie,  as  she  was  called,  was  an  agreeable  and  comely 
appearing  girl,  and  gave  promise  of  developing  into  a 
splendid  woman. 

The  mother  was  not  an  old  woman,  and  still  pos- 
sessed much  of  the  attractiveness  and  vivacity  which 
had  undoubtedly  distinguished  her  in  the  bloom  of 
womanhood.  From  her  the  daughters  inherited  much 
of  the  comeliness  which  marked  them  as  objects  of  ad- 
miration and  esteem.  Her  name  was  Xochitl,  signify- 
ing wild  flower,  which  evidenced,  in  its  application,  no 
small  degree  of  loveliness  even  in  the  first  years  of  her 
life.  She  was  called  "  Zoei "  by  her  acquaintances,  and 
it  fitted  her  well,  so  expressive  of  affection  and  gentle- 
ness, prominent  characteristics  of  her  disposition. 

The  daughters  were  given  all  the  advantages  possible 
under  the  isolated  circumstances  with  which  they  were 
surrounded.  The  father  and  mother  were  fairly  well 
educated,  and  through  their  efforts  the  girls  became 
proficient  in  many  things.  Aside  from  being  instruct- 
ed in  the  history  and  traditions  of  their  race,  they  were 
well  trained  in  domestic  affairs. 

It  is  said  of  the  Aztec  women  that  they  were  adepts 
in  the  culinary  arts.  Their  tables,  when  the  occasion 
required  it,  we  are  informed,  were  replete  with  deli- 
ciously  prepared  sauces,  confections,  and  other  delica- 
cies, which  would  have  tempted  the  most  fastidious 


62  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

epicurian  palate;  and  Zoei,  the  good  wife  of  the  hunter 
Tezcot,  was  not  an  exception. 

Spinning,  embroidery,  and  featherwork  were  also 
considered  essential  accomplishments,  in  which  the  sis- 
ters were  thoroughly  instructed  by  their  mother. 

Featherwork  was  an  art  of  peculiar  interest  to  the 
Anahuacans,  and  they  greatly  excelled  in  it.  Abun- 
dant material  for  its  practice  was  always  at  hand  in 
the  beautiful  plumage  of  the  myriads  of  tropical  birds : 
the  parrot,  the  hummingbird,  the  pheasant,  and  many 
others  of  the  feathered  tribes  which  might  be  named, 
congruous  to  that  latitude  and  country. 

In  addition  to  her  other  attainments,  Mitla  was  a 
fine  archer,  and  was  often  to  be  found  on  the  moun- 
tains in  pursuit  of  its  practice. 

It  was  evening,  and  the  twilight  was  rapidly  verging 
into  night.  At  this  hour  three  persons  might  have 
been  seen  wending  their  way  around  the  southwestern 
slope  of  the  mountain  at  the  base  of  which  *stood  the 
dwelling  of  Tezcot,  the  hunter.  The  fast  fading  light 
of  the  departing  day  penetrated  with  its  crimson-tinted 
rays  the  thickly  standing  trees,  throwing  sombre  shad- 
ows athwart  the  pathway  of  the  sojourners,  warning 
them  of  the  nearness  of  night.  It  was  evident,  from 
the  rapid  movement  of  the  party,  that  they  were  not 
unfamiliar  with  the  rough  trail  they  trod.  They  were 
moving  along  in  single  file.  In  the  lead  was  a  man  of 
large  mold,  who,  though  apparently  past  middle  life, 
was  yet  in  the  prime  of  manhood.  Upon  his  back  was 
strapped  a  javelin  and  bow,  with  an  accompanying 
quiver,  which,  with  his  general  appearance  and  dress, 
distinguished  him  as  a  hunter.  His  companions  were 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  63 

following  closely  behind  him,  bearing  a  heavy  burden 
between  them,  the  end  of  the  pole  or  support  of  the 
burden  resting  on  a  shoulder  of  each.  They  were  si- 
lent as  the  noiseless  forest  through  which  they  moved. 
Not  a  sound  was  heard  save  the  measured  tramp  of 
their  feet  as  they  hastened  on.  Finally  emerging  onto 
the  plateau,  and  seemingly  relieved  from  the  sense  of 
solitude  with  which  the  deep  silence  of  the  forest  had 
impressed  them,  the  hunter  said  : 

"It  is  a  heavy  load  ye  bear,  lads ;  but  the  end  is 
near,  and  ye  11  soon  be  rid  of  it." 

"Yes,  master,"  said  the  foremost  man;  "it  is,  in- 
deed, a  heavy  load,  and  would  try  us  greatly  to  go 
much  farther." 

"  Think  what  is  ahead  of  ye  yonder  :  a  bracing  meal, 
and,  by  my  life,  ye  shall  have  a  refreshing  mug  of 
pulque*  to  wash  it  down.  D'ye  hear?"  returned  the 
hunter,  encouragingly. 

"Ah,  good  master,  you  are  very  kind,"  answered 
the  man. 

"  If  to  be  mindful  of  a  willing  hand  is  kindness,  then 
be  it  so,  lad,"  was  the  hunter's  benignant  reply. 

The  hunter  and  his  companions  were  now  moving 
along  the  border  of  a  narrow  stretch  of  level  ground, 
which  extended  far  around  the  mountain.  They  sud- 
denly rounded  a  sharp  point  which  brought  into  view 
a  dwelling,  from  which  a  faint  glimmer  of  light  pene- 
trated the  gathering  darkness.  The  dwelling  was  the 
home  of  Tezcot,  and  the  advancing  hunter  the  moun- 
taineer himself,  accompanied  by  two  servants,  return- 
ing from  a  hunting  excursion. 


*  NOTE. — An  intoxicant,  made  from  the  juice  of  maguey, 
pronounced  pull-ke — a  drink  much  used  by  the  Mexicans  to 
this  day. 


64  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

As  the  party  approached  the  house,  Tezcot  saw  that 
a  man,  who  proved  to  be  a  strange  hunter,  occupied 
the  front  porch  alone.  When  near  enough  to  speak 
he  stopped,  his  attendants  passing  on.  Addressing 
the  stranger,  he  said  : 

"  Hail,  friend !  Peace  and  good-cheer  to  thee,  and 
welcome  to  such  fare  as  may  be  found  in  this,  my 
mountain  home.  I  am  Tezcot.  Who  art  thou?  " 

The  stranger  arose  and,  saluting,  answered : 

"  The  gods  be  with  you  and  yours,  most  liberal  of 
hosts.  Cacatni,  a  Tezcucan  hunter,  is  he  whom  the 
good  genii  have  directed  to  this  excellent  mountain 
home,  where  the  tired  applicant  for  nourishment  and 
rest  is  ever  met  by  generous  impulses  and  unre- 
strained hospitality." 

Tezcot  scanned  the  stranger  with  not  a  little  curi- 
osity at  hearing  his  gracious  speech.  The  language 
bespoke  him  more  than  a  mere  hunter.  He  was  a 
young  man,  and,  from  appearances,  one  enjoying  su- 
perior advantages.  The  mountaineer  was  very  much 
pleased  at  hearing  words  so  eulogistic  of  himself  and 
his,  and  could  not  repress  his  gratification.  It  was 
his  chief  pleasure  to  be  reminded  that  he  was  gener- 
ous and  hospitable.  He  replied  : 

"  Your  speech  commends  us,  friend,  and  we  pray 
it  may  be  deserved.  We  can  say  of  a  truth,  and  not 
boastingly,  that  no  man  ever  turned  from  Tezcot's 
door  hungry  or  weary." 

"  What  you  say  needs  no  proof,  generous  host ;  it  is 
but  an  echo  of  the  voice  of  those  who  have  eaten  of 
your  bread  and  drank  of  your  excellent  pulque.  No 
man,  in  or  out  of  the  valley,  hath  in  so  great  a  degree 
the  esteem  and  good  will  of  the  hunters  of  Anahuac 


A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC.  65 

as  yourself.  With  them  Tezcot  is  counted  the  prince 
of  hosts,  and  a  chief  among  men,"  added  the  stranger, 
warmly. 

"  I  see,  O  Tezcucan,  whence  comes  your  favorable 
opinion  of  us,"  returned  Tezcot.  "A  word  of  praise 
from  our  good  friends  in  the  valley  is  not  less  pleasing 
because  it  comes  to  us  in  this  way.  May  the  favora- 
ble impressions  of  us  you  bring  with  you  not  suffer 
by  personal  contact." 

This  dialogue  was  carried  on  standing,  the  moun- 
taineer in  the  meantime  relieving  himself  of  his 
hunter's  outfit.  He  now  suggested  that  they  be 
seated,  and  after  being  so  he  turned  to  his  guest  and 
inquired : 

"  Is  this  your  first  visit  to  these  parts? " 

"  To  this  locality,  yes ;  to  the  mountains,  no.  For 
several  years  I  have  made  occasional  incursions  to  the 
district  in  pursuit  of  that  charm  which  sometimes 
leads  the  best  of  men — as  in  your  own  case — to  choose 
for  a  home  the  most  solitary  scenes,"  replied  the  Tez- 
cucan. 

"A  wonderful  fascination,  truly,  is  found  in  the  life 
we  lead,  or  how  could  we  endure  its  solitude?"  an- 
swered the  mountaineer  reflectively ;  and  again,  "  You 
are  not  one  who  hunts  for  profit,  I  judge?"  he  added, 
interrogatively. 

"No,  for  pleasure  only;  still  I  sometimes  sell,  or 
permit  my  men  to  do  so,  when  we  secure  more  game 
than  we  want." 

"You  are  not  alone,  then?" 

"No;  I  have  two  attendants  who  are  being  cared  for 
by  your  servants.  Your  good  wife  has  already  looked 
after  their  comforts." 


66  A   PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

"And,  be  assured,  O  Tezcucan,  that  they  will  suffer 
no  discomfort  while  under  her  care,"  returned  Tezcot, 
showing  his  appreciation  of  his  wife's  excellence.  He 
then  added  :  "  Referring  to  them,  by  the  way,  reminds 
me  that  others  are  needing  refreshment.  Zoei !  "  he 
called. 

"Well,  Tezcot,  what  is  it?"  came  back  from  within. 

"  My  jacket  hangs  limp  as  a  dead  hare's  leg. 
Haven't  ye  something  to  put  under  it,  eh?  " 

"Yes,  supper  is  ready.     Bring  our  guest  and  come." 

Rising,  Tezcot  turned  to  the  stranger,  and  said  : 

"  Come,  friend,  you  are  doubtless  as  ready  as  my- 
self to  dispatch  a  good  sized  block  of  well  prepared 
supper.  There  is  nothing  like  a  sharp  appetite  and  a 
well  loaded  board  to  make  a  man  satisfied  with  him- 
self and  all  the  \vorld." 

"A  philosophical  utterance,  certainly,"  returned  the 
Tezcucan,  following  his  host  into  the  house. 

The  evening  meal  consisted  of  maize  bread,  cold 
meats  of  game,  fruit,  and  chocolate.  The  hunter's 
favorite  mug  of  pulque,  which  he  always  relished  after 
a  day  on  the  mountains,  was  in  its  place  near  him, 
while  one  was  immediately  passed  to  the  guest. 

Tezcot  was  here  reminded  of  his  promise  to  his 
men,  and  ordered  a  glass  of  the  beverage  for  each 
taken  to  them ;  then  taking  his  own  from  the  board, 
he  said : 

"  Drink,  friend,  and  let  our  drinking  be  a  pledge  of 
future  good  will  between  us." 

"  Most  cheerfully,  kind  host ;  and  may  I  not  add  for 
myself,  your  excellent  family  as  well?" 

The  mother  smiled  and  the  daughters  blushed,  while 
the  host  and  his  guest  quaffed  their  pulque  with  keen 
and  appreciative  gusto. 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  67 

"  Superb  !  "  exclaimed  the  Tezcucan.  "  Your  friends 
do  not  overestimate  the  quality  of  your  pulque,  and  I 
shall  join  their  ranks  at  once." 

"  We  are  glad  it  pleases  you.  Your  appreciation  is 
our  recompense,"  returned  Tezcot,  much  gratified. 
"And,  now,"  he  continued,  "  let  us  try  some  of  the 
substantial. " 

The  suggestion  was  equivalent  to  a  command,  and 
all  went  to  eating. 

When  the  meal  was  fairly  begun,  Mitla  gathered 
sufficient  courage  to  say : 

"  Father,  tell  us  about  your  hunt  to-day.  From  the 
quantity  of  game  brought  in,  good  luck  must  have  at- 
tended you." 

"  Yes,  the  day  was  fine,  and  brought  us  extra  good 
luck,"  he  answered,  and  then  paused  to  indulge  his 
keen  appetite  for  a  moment.  ''  Game  was  plentiful," 
he  went  on,  "  and  we  secured  quite  a  bunch.  There 
were  some  fine  targets  for  testing  an  archer's  skill, 
which  would  have  delighted  your  heart,  child,  could 
you  have  been  with  us." 

Mitla  was  the  hunter's  favorite,  as  was  Oxie  the 
favorite  of  her  mother.  The  father's  preference  arose 
from  the  fact  that  Milta,  like  himself,  loved  the  moun- 
tains and  their  forest  solitudes. 

In  reply  to  her  father's  reference  to  herself,  she  said : 

"  How  much  it  would  have  delighted  me,  could  I 
have  been  with  you,  I  can  not  express ;  but  you  know 
how  dearly  I  love  to  use  my  bow  and  arrow ;  let  that 
speak  for  me.  You  often  tell  me,  however,  father,  that 
I  am  too  tender-hearted  to  engage  in  hunting." 

"  Yes,  that's  a  fact,  Mit,  and  I'm  not  sorry  for  it.  I 
would  not  that  ye  were  disposed  to  be  cruel,  for  ye  are 


68  A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

a  woman,"  he  replied,  in  approval  of  her  weakness,  or, 
more  fittingly,  her  innate  sympathy. 

"  Your  daughter  is  a  fine  archer,  I  infer?  "  remarked 
the  Tezcucau  inquiringly,  addressing  the  mountaineer. 

"  Her  arrow  is  true — I  might  say  unerring,"  replied 
the  father  proudly.  "And  yet  few  know  that  she  is  an 
archer  at  all.'' 

"  My  father,  you  see,  is  a  little  extravagant  in  his 
praise  of  my  archery,"  interrupted  Mitla. 

"  He,  no  doubt,  has  reasons  for  being  so,"  said 
Cacami.  "  It  is  a  delightful  accomplishment,  and  I'm 
sure  you  realize  much  pleasure  from  it.  I  am  not  un- 
skilled in  the  use  of  the  bow,  and  greatly  enjoy  its 
employment."  Turning  to  the  younger  sister,  he  con- 
tinued :  "You,  my  young  friend — Oxie,  I  believe,  do 
not  engage  in  its  practice?  " 

"  No,  my  sister's  excellence  and  my  own  awkward- 
ness have  always  discouraged  me,  so  I  have  given  up 
trying,"  she  answered  a  little  ruefully. 

"  Oxie,  if  not  an  archer,  has  other  accomplishments 
really  more  womanly,"  spoke  the  mother,  joining  in 
the  conversation  to  defend  her  favorite. 

"  Your  daughters  are  both,  without  doubt,  worthy 
of  all  praise,  each  for  those  accomplishments  best 
suited  to  her  disposition,"  replied  Cacami  with  tact, 
addressing  his  hostess. 

"  Good  girls,  friend,  both  of  them,"  interrupted 
Tezcot,  stripping  the  meat  from  the  bone  of  a  pheas- 
ant; "differently  constituted,  that's  all."  Then  ab- 
ruptly turning  the  subject,  he  said  :  "  Have  you  been 
successful,  Cacami,  in  chasing  the  charm  to  which  you 
alluded  this  evening,  the  charm  which  we  of  the 
mountains  find  in  pursuing  the  hunter's  calling  ?  " 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  69 

"  You  may  be  assured,  O  Tezcot,  that  I  have  no 
cause  for  complaint.  My  success  has  always  been 
very  satisfactory,"  replied  Cacami;  and  continuing,  he 
inquired :  "  How  do  you  hunters  manage  to  dispose 
of  your  game  aside  from  what  you  consume?" 

"  Take  or  send  it  to  the  nearest  market.  My  men 
will  go  in  after  another  day  to  dispose  of  our  surplus, 
which  is  now  quite  large,"  replied  the  mountaineer. 

"  I  brought  in  a  fine  lot  with  me  to-night,  and  as  I 
never  carry  game  from  a  worthy  host's  door,  you  may 
consider  it  a  part  of  your  surplus,  which  I  hope  will 
obviate  the  necessity  of  your  going  to  the  mountains 
to-morrow,  thus  affording  you  a  day's  rest,"  said 
Cacami,  evidently  bent  on  meeting  the  generosity  of 
his  host. 

"  It  requires  no  such  sacrifice,  O  Cacami,  to  prove 
your  heartiness  of  will.  We  can  not  allow  it,"  remon- 
strated Tezcot.  "  No,  no,  my  friend,  you  must  not 
think  of  it." 

"  I  have  so  decided,  good  host,  and  beg  that  you 
will  allow  me  to  have  my  way,"  returned  Cacami  re- 
spectfully, but  in  a  manner  that  settled  the  question. 

"Well,  friend,  you  seem  bent  on  carrying  out  your 
purpose,  which  we  hope  is  not  prompted  by  any  doubt 
of  the  unselfishness  of  our  hospitality,"  said  the 
hunter,  feeling  that  his  cherished  reputation  for  gen- 
erosity was  being  questioned. 

"  Not  at  all,  most  hospitable  of  men.  On  the  con- 
trary, the  giving  of  the  game  is  intended  as  a  trifling 
mark  of  my  appreciation  of  your  unequaled  liber- 
ality," urged  Cacami.  "The  value  of  game,  to  me,  is 
gone,"  he  continued,  "  when  I  have  it  in  hand.  It  is 
the  pursuit  of  it,  and  not  its  possession,  which  brings 


7O  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

satisfaction,  excepting  when  I  can  dispose  of  it  in  the 
way  I  propose ;  then  it  does  become  of  value,  not  in- 
trinsically, but  for  the  pleasure  it  returns  when  thus 
bestowed." 

"  You  are  kind,  very  kind,  Cacami,"  rejoined  the 
hunter,  relenting.  "And  since  you  will  have  it  so,  be 
assured  it  shall  not  be  lost  to  you." 

"And  why  should  it  be  counted  lost  at  all?  Does 
the  hospitality  of  the  great-hearted  Tezcot  amount  to 
so  little?  The  game  is  an  insignificant  return,  I  as- 
sure you,  for  the  gratification  it  will  afford  me  to  recall 
having  eaten  of  your  bread  and  drunken  of  your 
pulque,"  returned  Cacami  warmly. 

Supper  was  here  concluded,  and,  yielding  to  the 
Tezcucan's  fervency,  Tezcot  said : 

"  So  be  it,  friend ;  providing,  however,  that  you  re- 
main our  guest  another  day,  and  join  Mit  and  me  in  a 
short  excursion  on  the  mountain." 

"  That  I  will  most  cheerfully  do,  and  count  the  day 
happily  spent,"  responded  Cacami  graciously. 


The  majority  of  the  little  group  we  have  introduced 
in  this  chapter — the  home  of  the  hunter's  chief  and 
the  adjacent  mountains,  will  figure  extensively  in  this 
narrative.  With  our  brief  sketch  of  the  persons  pre- 
sented, we  leave  the  reader  to  perfect  the  individuality 
of  each,  forgetting  for  the  moment  to  what  race  they 
belonged.  An  eminent  mountaineer  hunter,  a  man 
of  noble  impulses,  proficient  in  everything  required  of 
him ;  an  excellent  wife  and  mother,  who  was  a  worthy 
companion  to  the  father  of  her  children ;  two  beauti- 
ful maidens,  who,  though  of  directly  opposite  temper- 


A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  7 1 

aments,  were  equally  devoted  in  their  home  relations — 
an  exceptional  family,  together  with  their  Tezcucan 
guest,  a  young  man  whom  the  reader,  we  hope,  will 
find  an  agreeable  accession  to  the  personnel  of  our 
story. 


72  A    PRINCK    OF    ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  laws  by  which  the  nations  of  Anahuac  were 
governed  were  comprehensive  as  well  as.  very 
severe.  Every  subject  was  expected  to  have  knowl- 
edge of  them,  and  the  people  were,  accordingly,  in- 
structed in  them  by  means  of  hieroglyphical  paintings. 

Crimes  against  society  were  punished  with  slavery 
or  death,  according  to  the  magnitude  of  the  offense. 
Theft  and  robbery  were  placed  in  this  category,  and 
met  with  the  severest  punishment.  If  the  accused  was 
found  guilty,  his  fate  was  sealed ;  there  was  no  escape 
from  the  penalty,  so  rigidly  were  the  laws  enforced. 

These  conditions,  together  with  the  strict  surveil- 
lance of  the  military  police,  made  it  hazardous  for  any 
one  to  be  abroad  at  night,  unless  adequate  reason  for 
it  could  be  made  apparent. 

Protected  in  this  thorough  manner,  the  people  had 
no  fear  of  depredators,  and  took  no  precautions  against 
them.  No  bolts,  bars  or  other  fastenings,  as  a  protec- 
tion, were  to  be  found  on  their  doors,  when  doors  were 
used;  in  fact,  more  times  than  otherwise,  only  a  curtain 
shielded  the  privacy  of  a  home  from  the  outside  world. 
They  felt  as  secure  with  an  open  door  as  the  most  en- 
lightened Christian  citizen  would  amid  the  highest 
order  of  civilization,  behind  his  locks  and  bolts,  sup- 
plemented by  the  latest  improved  burglar-alarm. 


A    PRINCK    OF    AN  AH  U  AC.  73 

We  now  return  to  Zelmonco  villa.  We  find  it 
wrapped  in  deepest  silence ;  the  inmates  are  lost  in 
the  oblivion  of  sleep ;  the  birds  that  make  glad  its 
environs  under  the  light  of  day  are  perched  in  confi- 
dence and  security  on  their  chosen  limb.  The  hour  is 
that  in  which  Nature  wraps  with  sleep  her  children 
closest  'round  about — the  midnight  hour,  silent  and 
solemn. 

At  this  unseemly  time  two  shadowy  forms  steal 
noiselessly  into  the  park  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  and 
pause  in  an  attitude  of  listening.  No  sound  is  heard, 
save  the  beating  of  a  heart  by  each.  After  satisfying 
themselves  that  no  living  thing  is  astir  within  their 
hearing,  they  move  cautiously  up  toward  the  house ; 
and  presently,  when  near  its  entrance,  pass  within  the 
protecting  shadow  of  a  thickly  foliaged  tree  and  stop. 


Before  leaving  the  weaver's  cottage,  Hualcoyotl  had 
decided  to  stop  at  Zelmonco  villa,  where  he  purposed 
remaining  over  one  day,  while  Oza  would  be  sent  on 
to  communicate  with  a  good  friend — a  loyal  Tezcucan 
who  lived  a  short  day's  journey  toward  the  mountains 
— to  inform  him  of  the  prince's  perilous  situation  and 
desire  to  find  shelter  and  concealment  with  him  for  a 
few  hours. 

The  night  was  not  dark,  for  the  stars  were  shining 
very  brightly,  as  they  always  seem  to  in  the  clear  sky 
of  that  sunny  clime.  To  the  fugitives  their  luster  ap- 
peared to  be  remarkably  brilliant,  causing  them  to  shun 
the  roadways  for  fear  of  discovery  and  arrest ;  as  a 
consequence,  halts  and  frequent  change  of  course  made 
their  progress  slow,  and  the  hour  of  their  arrival  at  the 
villa  late. 


74  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHFAC. 

The  reader  has,  no  doubt,  guessed  who  it  was  that 
entered  Zelmonco  park  at  midnight,  and,  passing  up 
to  the  villa,  paused  in  the  shadow  of  a  tree  near  its 
entrance. 

The  prince's  breathing,  when  they  stopped — for  it 
was  he  and  his  attendant — was  somewhat  labored.  The 
long  and  arduous  walk  from  the  city,  and  the  eifort 
required  to  gain  the  summit  of  the  hill  on  which  the 
villa  stood,  had  severely  tested  the  strength  of  his 
wind;  which,  from  long  confinement  and  inactivity, 
had  become,  in  some  degree,  ennervated.  He  quickly 
regained  his  composure,  and,  while  they  yet  stood 
within  the  tree's  shadow,  his  thoughts  turned  upon 
himself  and  his  peculiarly  discouraging  situation.  He 
mentally  soliloquized:  "Like  a  rudderless  boat  on 
yonder  lake,  left  to  the  caprice  of  the  elements,  tossed 
hither  and  thither  by  wind  and  wave,  I  am  out  in  the 
world,  a  fugitive,  condemned,  driven,  I  know  not 
whither !  Oh,  would  that  I  could  forecast  my  destiny 
and  know  it,  though  the  worst  should  be  revealed  !  " 
After  a  moment's  pause  he  continued  :  "  Yet,  perhaps, 
it  is  better  as  it  is :  The  Great  Unseen  will  keep  me  if 
there  is  a  purpose  in  my  life !  "  Turning  to  Oza  he 
said,  in  a  subdued  voice  : 

"  There  is  safety  in  this  house,  the  home  of  Euetzin, 
for  a  short  time,  if  we  might  enter.  Stand  you  here, 
while  I  endeavor  to  secure  the  attention  of  someone." 
He  cautiously  advanced  to  the  door,  which  he  found 
ajar,  and  gave  two  or  three  raps.  No  answer  being 
obtained,  the  raps  were  repeated  a  little  louder. 

"Who  raps?"  suddenly  inquired  a  voice  from  within. 

"A  friend  of  tzin  Euet,  who  would  communicate 
with  Teochma,  his  mother,"  answered  the  prince,  with 
caution. 


A    PRINCE    OP   ANAHUAC.  75 

"  Stand  inside,  I  will  call  her,"  returned  the  voice, 
and  its  owner,  as  the  prince  entered,  went  to  summon 
his  mistress. 

The  person  who  answered  the  prince's  knock  was  a 
slave,  whose  sleeping-place,  for  convenience,  was  near 
the  door. 

In  a  few  minutes  the  tzin's  mother  appeared,  bearing 
a  lighted  taper.  When  she  saw  the  muffled  figure  near 
the  entrance,  she  paused  and  inquired : 

"  Who  seeks  to  communicate  with  Teochma?  " 

"  One  who  is  a  fugitive,  with  a  price  upon  his  life, 
comes  to  ask  of  Teochma  shelter  for  a  short  time, 
until  the  way  is  made  clear  for  him  to  go  on,"  was 
answered. 

"  Prince  Hualcoyotl !  " 

"Sh!  Have  a  care,  O  Teochma;  speak  not  that 
name  so  loud,  even  here,  beneath  this  friendly  roof. 
Walls  do  not  always  confine  the  voice's  sound,  and  the 
winds  are  treacherous.  Should  that  name  be  borne  to 
traitorous  ears,  and  my  presence  in  your  house  be 
made  known  to  my  pursuers,  desolation  would  surely 
come  upon  it,  and  distress  to  those  it  shelters." 

The  prince  had  dropped  the  mantle  from  about  his 
face,  and  while  he  yet  spoke  Teochma  saw  that  it  was 
indeed  the  royal  friend  of  her  son.  From  custom  she 
was  about  to  offer  him  obeisance,  but  he  quickly  inter- 
posed, and  said  entreatingly : 

"  No,  Teochma,  do  not  so.  Let  the  good  mother  of 
Euetzin  treat  as  a  servant,  rather,  him  who  stands  in 
her  presence.  When  the  winds  cease  to  bear  upon 
their  wings  the  cry  of  my  enslaved  and  degraded  peo- 
ple for  deliverance,  which  rises  hourly  from  a  thousand 
homes,  then,  and  not  till  then,  may  he  to  whom  you 


76  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

would  do  honor  receive  the  homage  due  his  station  !  " 
He  bowed  himself  before  her  in  salutation,  and  con- 
tinued: "Thus  may  it  be  in  this  hour,  good  mother 
of  my  friend — and  mine,  I  could  wish,  O  Teochma !  " 

"  Rise,  my  sou  ;  it  is  not  fit  that  you  should  humble 
yourself  in  this  manner.  Teochma  is  grateful  for 
your  condescension,  and  is  pleased  to  welcome  you  to  a 
shelter  in  her  home."  Hualcoyotl  arose,  and  she  con- 
tinued :  "  But  come,  enter  here  and  be  seated,"  say- 
ing which,  she  motioned  for  him  to  pass  to  an  adjoin- 
ing room. 

"  Give  me  yet  a  moment,  good  Teochma.  There  is 
one  without,  an  attendant,  who  waits  to  be  called.  If 
it  please  you,  I  will  bid  him  come  in." 

"Assuredly,  my  son,  bid  him  come." 

The  door,  which  the  prince  had  closed,  was  quietly 
opened,  and  Oza  directed  to  enter. 


The  Anahuacans  of  the  fifteenth  century  were  well 
skilled  in  art,  both  mechanical  and  decorative.  With 
tools  of  bronze,  made  from  an  alloy  of  tin  and  copper, 
they  were  enabled,  by  the  use  of  a  flinty  powder,  to 
shape  the  hardest  substances  into  articles  of  use  and 
adornment. 

Vessels  of  gold  and  silver  were  moulded  and  fash- 
ioned by  them,  having  upon  them  representations  of 
birds,  animals,  flowers,  and  other  objects;  and  it  is 
said  of  their  goldsmiths  that  they  could  blend  the 
metals  in  such  a  manner  as  to  represent  the  feathers 
of  a  bird  or  the  scales  of  a  fish,  alternately,  in  gold 
and  silver. 

With  their  natural  fondness  for  display,  and  the  in- 


A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  77 

exhaustible  supply  of  material  for  its  indulgence  at 
their  command,  it  is  not  surprising  that  the  homes  of 
the  nobility  and  wealthy  were  gorgeously  magnificent 
in  furnishment,  especially  in  the  matter  of  adornment. 
And,  withal,  though  none  of  the  modern  appliances 
for  the  promotion  of  elegance  and  ease,  which  now  dis- 
tinguish the  mansions  of  the  opulent,  were  then  at 
hand,  their  abodes  were  not  without  comfort  for  the 
physical  man. 

As  in  this  age,  a  reception,  or  drawing-room  was  an 
indispensable  apartment  in  the  dwellings  of  the  higher 
classes,  and  the  completeness  of  its  design  and  arrange- 
ment usually  indicated  not  only  the  wealth  and  posi- 
tion of  the  owner,  but,  also,  the  taste  and  accomplish- 
ments of  the  occupants. 

The  room  into  which  the  prince  and  his  attendant 
were  conducted  was  a  model  apartment  of  its  kind, 
and  deserves  from  us  at  least  a  passing  notice. 

The  floor  was  almost  hidden  under  a  profusion  of 
mats  and  gaily  wrought  rugs.  Fancy  stools  and  com- 
fortable divans  were  placed  about  the  room  in  a  kind 
of  orderly  disorder,  relieving  it  from  any  appearance  of 
disuse  or  exclusiveness.  Across  one  corner  of  the 
room  stood  an  especially  attractive  divan,  over  which 
was  a  glittering  canopy,  suspended  from  the  beak  of  a 
dead  quanhtli  (eagle.)  From  its  elevated  perch  the 
bird's  appearance  was  so  natural  that  the  first  glance 
at  it  would  cause  the  observer  to  hesitate  before  taking 
a  seat  beneath  it.  A  second  thought,  however,  would 
dispel  the  momentary  delusion.  Spread  out  on  this 
divan  was  the  preserved  and  decorated  skin  of  a  Mexi- 
can tiger-cat. 

The  walls  were  adorned  with  gorgeous  and  beautiful 


78  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

hangings,  the  scintillating  glimmer  of  the  reflected 
light  of  the  taper  upon  them,  as  they  were  gently 
moved  by  the  force  of  a  passing  draught  of  air,  pro- 
ducing a  very  agreeable  effect. 

In  every  nook  and  corner  were  to  be  seen  vases  of 
odorous  flowers,  and  images  of  animals  or  birds. 

On  a  wall-shelf,  at  one  side  of  the  room,  was  a  pecul- 
iarly attractive  pot  of  flowers,  over  which,  suspended 
by  a  thread  of  gold  so  fine  that  it  required  a  sharp  eye 
to  detect  it,  was  poised  a  golden-hued  hummingbird, 
apparently  about  to  thrust  its  prying  nib  into  the  un- 
explored recesses  of  a  half  opened  flower  just  below  it. 

In  a  conspicuous  place  on  the  wall  was  a  showy 
piece  of  feather-work,  in  which  was  blended  the  plum- 
age of  many  birds.  There  were  in  it  the  changeful 
hues  of  the  parrot,  the  brilliant  colors  of  the  pheasant, 
and  others  less  attractive,  all  woven  into  a  perfect  rep- 
resentation of  beautiful  mosaic. 

As  the  prince  took  a  seat  his  quick  eye  observed  the 
exquisite  surroundings;  and  through  it  all  he  saw 
Teochma's  experienced  hand.  His  mind  reverted 
quickly  to  other  times — his  boyhood,  and  the  home 
where  once  ruled  a  beloved  mother,  not  less  accom- 
plished than  Teochma.  After  a  moment's  silent  con- 
templation of  the  apartment  and  its  attractions,  some 
of  which  were  still  familiar  to  him,  he  turned  to  his 
hostess  and  said  : 

"  The  span  of  years  which  separate  this  hour  from 
the  past,  when — a  joyous,  happy  boy — I  stood  within 
this  room,  with  no  visible  cloud  upon  the  bright  hori- 
zon of  my  future  to  warn  me  of  the  approaching  storm 
and  subsequent  night  of  sorrow  and  despair  which  has 
followed,  seems  but  a  delusion — a  horrible  dream,  from 


A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  79 

which  I  have  only  this  moment  awakened.  And  yet, 
O  Teochma,  my  waking  may  be  likened  to  a  lucid 
interval  in  the  mind  of  one  crazed  by  delirium  or  the 
confusion  of  reason  ;  for  soon  the  gloom  of  my  im- 
pending doom  will  hold  and  wrap  me  about,  and  this 
sweet  reflection  of  the  happy  past  be  obscured  in  the 
blackness  of  darkness  again." 

He  paused,  and,  taking  advantage  of  the  pause, 
Teochma  said : 

"Your  presence  here  at  this  hour,  and  the  purport 
of  your  words,  tell  me  that  you  are  in  trouble.  Hual- 
coyotl  the  boy  is  lost  in  Hualcoyotl  the  stately  prince ; 
and  our  love  for  the  former  in  profound  esteem  and 
respect  for  the  latter.  Teochma  is  your  loyal  subject 
and  friend ;  no  assistance  which  is  within  her  power  to 
render  shall  be  withheld  from  you.  Speak,  good 
friend,  as  would  my  own  son  Euet,  and  make  your 
wants  known,  that  we  may  serve  you." 

"  I  was  sure  of  your  sympathy  and  assistance,  else  I 
had  not  come  this  way.  The  fidelity  of  Teochma,  and 
hers,  to  the  cause  of  the  unfortunate  Hualcoyotl  is  a 
source  of  deepest  gratitude  to  him.  May  the  hour 
come  when  he  can  express  his  gratitude  more  fittingly 
than  by  weak  words  !  " 

Here  followed  a  narration  of  as  much  of  his  late 
experience  as  was  necessary  to  make  his  situation 
known. 

Teochma's  sympathies  were  much  excited,  and  the 
prince  was  assured  of  a  welcome  shelter  and  conceal- 
ment at  the  villa  for  as  long  a  time  as  he  desired. 

"  I  can  only  risk  a  stop  of  a  few  hours,"  said  he; 
"just  long  enough  for  my  attendant  to  make  arrange- 
ments for  me  a  few  leagues  ahead.  The  emissaries  of 


8O  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

Maxtla  may  yet  consider  it  worth  while  to  pay  you  a- 
visit  in  their  search  for  me.  Should  they  do  so,  no 
knowledge  of  my  having  been  here  at  this  time  must 
reach  them ;  for  they  are  heartless,  and  might  cause 
you  serious  trouble,  if  nothing  more." 

He  turned  to  Oza,  and  gave  him  the  necessary  in- 
structions regarding  what  he  was  expected  to  do ;  and 
told  him  to  go  at  once,  and  perform  the  mission  quickly 
as  possible.  The  man  cheerfully  acquiesced  in  his  mas- 
ter's plans,  and,  after  partaking  of  refreshments,  set 
out  on  his  journey. 

The  prince  was  conducted  to  an  apartment  in  a  re- 
tired portion  of  the  villa,  where  he  soon  found  forget- 
fulness  in  sleep. 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  8 1 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  morning  broke  over  the  beautiful  Anahuac 
in  loveliness  and  splendor.  Nature,  in  all  her 
forms,  sent  forth  anthems  of  praise  to  the  Almighty 
Creator.  The  forests  rang  with  a  medley  of  happy 
sounds,  which  rose  from  myriads  of  living  things — 
the  warbling  of  the  inimitable  mockingbird,  and  the 
trill  and  coo  of  its  less  melodious  neighbors ;  the  chirp 
and  bark  of  the  frisking  little  animals,  together  with 
the  incessant  whir  and  hum  of  the  insect  hosts — a 
grand  chorus  of  thanksgiving,  spontaneously  rendered 
by  an  indiscriminate  multitude  of  God's  inferior  crea- 
tures, all  filled  with  the  unalloyed  happiness  of  an  un- 
consciousness of  evil,  an  unconsciousness  which  is 
denied  to  man,  who  is  created  in  the  image  of  his 
Maker,  and  endowed  with  that  supreme  attribute,  the 
power  to  reason. 

Such  was  the  morning,  and  the  waking  it  brought, 
of  the  day  which  followed  the  arrival  of  Hualcoyotl  at 
Zelmonco  villa. 

The  summons  of  a  servant  awoke  the  prince  to  a 
realization  of  his  surroundings.  Sounds  of  joy  and 
life  fell  upon  his  ear  from  without,  and  stirred  his  soul 
with  an  emotion  of  sadness. 

"  Why  should  I  be  so  environed,"  he  soliloquized, 
"  while  all  the  rest  of  the  world  are  happy  and  free  ? 
No,  not  all;  my  people  are  neither,"  he  quickly  added, 


82  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

as  they  rose  up  before  his  mind's  eye  in  reproval. 
"Yet,"  he  further  added,  "their  lot  is  preferable  to 
mine." 

Shaking  off  his  unhappy  feelings,  he  performed  his 
morning  ablutions  and  clothed  himself  preparatory  to 
going  into  the  presence  of  his  hostess. 

When  he  appeared  at  the  door  of  his  apartment  he 
found  a  servant  there,  who  had  been  sent  to  conduct 
him  to  the  eating-room,  where  breakfast  was  waiting, 
and,  better  still,  the  little  girl,  now  grown  to  woman's 
stature,  with  whom  he  had  romped  and  raced  the  hill- 
sides over  a  hundred  times  in  the  years  of  his  happy 
boyhood,  also  waiting  to  receive  him.  But  how  differ- 
ent were  their  positions  and  circumstances  at  this 
meeting.  Not  children,  but  man  and  woman,  stood 
face  to  face. 

"  Itlza !  "  exclaimed  he,  with  surprise  and  admira- 
tion depicted  on  his  countenance  and  expressed  in  his 
voice,  advancing  toward  her  at  the  same  time. 

A  momentary  confusion  came  over  the  maiden,  and 
she  stood  undecided  how  to  act.  The  last  time  she 
saw  him  he  was  only  a  youth  and  she  scarcely  more 
than  a  child.  Now  he  was  a  great,  strong  man,  with 
intellectual  superiority  stamped  on  every  feature,  and 
dignity  in  every  motion,  while  she  had  bloomed  into  a 
coy  and  blushing  young  woman,  a  sufficient  cause  for 
confusion  in  one  so  little  acquainted  with  the  world  as 
she.  He  saw  her  embarrassment,  and  coming  close  to 
her,  said : 

"  Has  the  little  girl  I  once  knew  so  well,  and  for 
whom  I  held  a  most  tender  regard,  but  who  has  now 
grown  away  from  me,  no  word  of  welcome  for  her 
childhood  friend? " 


A     1'KIXCK    <>i      AXAHUAC.  83 

This  gave  Itlza  time  to  recover,  and  she  began  a 
reply  by  saying : 

"  Our  noble  prince — 

"  No,  no  ;  Itlza  !  address  me  not  thus,"  he  said,  quick- 
ly interrupting  her,  and  speaking  earnestly.  "  I  pray 
you,  call  me  anything  but  that  in  this  hour  of  a  re- 
newal of  our  friendship.  I  like  it  not,  coming  from 
your  lips." 

"  Hualcoyotl,  then,  if  it  please  you,"  she  replied, 
smiling  at  his  earnestness. 

"  That  is  better,  for  it  has  in  it  the  echo  of  a  friend- 
ship I  do  not  forget/'  said  he,  interrupting  her  again ; 
"  a  friendship,  the  memory  of  which  is  very  dear  to 
me." 

"You  are  very  good,  not  to  have  forgotten  your  lit- 
tle friend  after  so  long  a  time,"  she  replied.  "  Since  I 
realize  the  change  which  has  come  to  both  of  us,  it 
seems  like  a  dream  to  have  known  you.  Hualcoyotl, 
who  stands  before  me  now,  is  not  the  Hualcoyotl  I  re- 
member ;  he  was  only  a  boy.  When  I  saw  you  enter, 
confusion  came  upon  me ;  I  knew  not  whether  I  should 
salute  you  as  our  prince,  or  greet  you  as  an  old  friend." 

She  had  recovered  her  composure,  and  spoke  with 
ease. 

"  Your  surprise  was  not  greater  than  my  own  when 
I  beheld,  not  my  little  girl  friend  of  other  years,  but  a 
pretty  young  woman  waiting  to  receive  me,"  was  his 
gallant  reply. 

"  There,  now,  don't  let  the  breakfast  spoil  because 
of  too  many  fine  words.  Come,  sit  you  down,  my  son ; 
and  you,  my  daughter,  order  the  chocolate,"  said  the 
mother,  not  at  all  displeased  at  the  gallantry  shown 
her  child  by  the  distinguished  guest. 


84  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

"Yes,  mother,"  returned  Itlza,  going  to  execute  the 
command,  at  the  same  time  looking  very  happy. 

The  eyes  of  the  prince  followed  her  admiringly  as 
she  left  the  room,  and  he  remarked  : 

"  The  years  have,  indeed,  wrought  changes  in  us  all, 
but  in  Itlza  the  greater.  She  has  grown  into  an  ad- 
mirable woman." 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  gratified  mother.  "  She  has 
changed  much  in  the  last  few  years." 

The  return  to  the  room,  at  this  moment,  of  the  ob- 
ject of  their  remarks,  cut  off  further  allusion  to  her. 
She  took  her  seat  at  the  board,  and,  after  customary 
formalities,  the  morning  repast  was  begun. 

The  prince  had  made  no  reference  to  his  friend,  the 
tzin;  but  was,  nevertheless,  much  concerned  about 
him,  and,  without  further  delay,  inquired: 

"  Teochma,  I  would  hear  something  of  Euetzin. 
Have  you  any  knowledge  of  his  whereabouts  ?  " 

"  Not  of  a  certainty.  He  expected  to  be  in  Tlacopan 
about  this  time,  if  nothing  should  occur  to  occasion 
delay." 

"  I  wish  that  I  might  see  him  ;  but  driven,  as  I  am, 
to  hasten  on,  I  can  not  hope  to  be  so  fortunate."  After 
a  short  pause  he  continued:  "How  long  did  he  stop 
with  you  on  his  way  out?  " 

"  Only  one  evening — a  brief  stay,  indeed ;  too  brief 
to  satisfy  a  mother's  heart,"  answered  Teochma. 

"  Yes,  the  time,  no  doubt,  seemed  very  short  to  you," 
returned  Hualcoyotl, "  but  the  errand  on  which  he  has 
gone  is  of  too  great  importance  to  admit  of  delay,  and 
no  one  realizes  it  more  than  he." 

"  We  do  not  underrate  his  mission,  noble  friend,  yet 
feel  our  deprivation  none  the  less,"  replied  the  mother. 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  85 

"  I  believe  you,  good  Teochma ;  and,  be  assured,  if 
our  cause  is  triumphant,  the  reward  shall  be  commen- 
surate." 

"  Why  should  a  reward  be  looked  for  by  anyone  in 
a  revolt  against  Tepanec  oppression,  save  the  deliver- 
ance of  our  people  ?  The  hope  of  freedom  for  Tezcuco, 
and  the  privilege  of  helping  to  gain  it,  ought  to  be  a 
sufficient  reward,  and  I  am  sure  it  would  be  for  my 
brother  Euet,"  said  Itlza  with  a  fervency  which  was  a 
surprise  to  the  prince.  He  looked  at  her  well  pleased, 
and  said : 

"You  are  a  true  and  loyal  daughter  of  Tezcuco, 
Itlza,  and  I  thank  you  for  your  patriotic  words.  They 
are  as  pure  gold,  and  could  only  emanate  from  the 
heart  of  a  child  of  Zelmozin  and  Teochma."  As  he 
spoke  the  prince's  eyes  were  fixed  upon  her  with  an 
expression  of  admiration  and  deep  sincerity. 

"  Hualcoyotl  gives  me  entirely  too  much  credit  for 
my  bit  of  enthusiasm.  It  is  not  deserving  of  so  much 
praise  as  he  has  seen  fit  to  bestow  upon  it,"  replied 
she,  somewhat  confused  by  the  earnestness  of  his 
language. 

"  Your  feelings,  which  prompt  you  to  depreciate  the 
very  laudable  sentiment  which  you  so  forcibly  ex- 
pressed, and  of  which  I  could  not  withhold  my  ap- 
proval, are  only  natural ;  they  could  not  be  otherwise, 
yet  do  not  alter  the  case.  I  am  glad  the  words  were 
spoken  in  my  presence,  and  I  shall  remember  them 
because  they  were  yours,"  he  gallantly  responded. 

The  prince  was  deeply  and  favorably  impressed  with 
the  artlessness  and  womanly  bearing  of  his  young 
friend,  and  had  circumstances  permitted  him  to  follow 
the  lead  of  the  thoughts  which  at  that  moment  filled 


86  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

his  mind  he  would  certainly  have  studied  to  win  her 
love.  The  affections  which  held  the  heart  of  the  boy 
for  the  little  girl  had  not  died  out.  His  hungry  heart 
was  quickly  ablaze  from  the  smouldering  spark  when 
fanned  by  the  coy  and  winsome  smile  of  Itlza,  but  he 
would  not,  then,  situated  as  he  was,  build  on  a  hope 
which  in  all  probability  could  never  be  realized ;  still, 
he  made  a  mental  resolve,  should  fortune  favor  his 
cause,  to  claim  the  charming  Itlza  for  his  queen. 

In  the  conversation  which  followed,  the  prince  ap- 
preciating the  danger  which  menaced  his  peace  of 
mind,  and  which  he  felt  was  already  yielding  to  the 
subtle  influence  of  Itlza's  presence,  gave  his  attention 
more  closely  to  Teochma.  The  topics  of  conversation 
varied,  but  finally  reverted  to  the  tzin.  As  they  arose 
from  their  seats  at  the  conclusion  of  breakfast,  the 
prince  said : 

"  I  have  faith  in  your  noble  son,  good  Teochma,  and 
believe  he  will  yet  occupy  a  high  place  among  the  war- 
riors of  his  people.  Considering  him  a  born  leader  of 
men,  I  have  entrusted  my  future  interests  to  his  hands 
with  a  perfect  confidence.  If  he  should  fail,  it  will  be 
because  he  has  undertaken  an  impossibility.  But, 
Teochma,  good  mother  of  my  friend,  do  not  be  dis- 
couraged; he  will  not  fail." 

"  Your  faith  in  my  son  is  very  gratifying.  We  will 
hope,  with  you,  for  the  best,"  she  replied. 

The  prince  retired  to  his  room,  where  he  sat  long, 
meditating  on  the  possibilities  of  the  future ;  and  as 
the  panoramic  pages  of  fantasy  passed  athwart  his 
brain,  a  picture  not  unlike  the  laughing  face  of  Itlza 
beamed  upon  him  from  everyone. 

The  day  passed  in  solitude  to  him.     He  would  not 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  87 

risk  exposure,  and,  therefore,  remained  in  close  seclu- 
sion. 

Night  and  darkness  came  at  last,  and  soon  after  Oza 
made  his  appearance. 

At  an  early  hour  the  fugitives  took  their  departure 
from  the  villa. 

When  about  to  leave,  the  prince  said,  as  a  further  en- 
couragement to  his  friends : 

"  Have  courage,  good  Teochma."  Then  turning  to 
Itlza,  he  continued  with  a  fervency  he  did  not  try  to 
conceal :  "And  you,  my  boyhood's  sweet  child  friend, 
continue  faithful  to  the  cause  for  which,  in  golden 
words,  you  have  proven  your  devotion." 

Addressing  both,  he  spoke  hopefully :  "  The  dark- 
ness of  the  night  is  but  the  obscurance  of  the  sun, 
the  giver  of  light ;  so  the  darkness  of  this  hour  in  our 
country's  enthrallment,  let  us  hope,  but  precedes  the 
dawn  of  a  bright  and  glorious  day  for  her.  Farewell, 
dear  friends.  May  the  gods  of  our  fathers  shield  and 
keep  you ! " 

He  turned  away,  and  a  moment  later  was  gone. 

The  mother  and  daughter  were  again  alone;  and 
thus  we  leave  them  to  contemplate,  in  sad  silence,  the 
rapidly  changing  conditions  of  their  lives. 


88  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  close  and  intimate  relation  of  tutor  and  pupil, 
which  was  sustained  between  Itzalmo  and  Hual- 
coyotl  for  so  long  a  period,  gives  the  character  of  the 
former  a  certain  degree  of  prominence.  We,  therefore, 
at  this  point,  return  to  the  Tezcucan  palace  to  follow 
for  a  brief  time  the  fortunes,  or  more  fittingly  the  mis- 
fortunes, of  the  old  servitor. 

By  reason  of  the  peculiar  and  unfortunate  circum- 
stances which  surrounded  him,  the  old  preceptor  was 
brought  under  the  malicious  displeasure  of  the  king, 
and  caused  to  suffer  for  his  fidelity  to  his  young  master. 
Before  entering  on  an  account  of  what  befell  him,  a  few 
preliminary  references  will  be  necessary. 

The  king's  officer,  after  reporting  the  failure  of  the 
expedition  sent  out  to  destroy  Hualcoyotl,  returned  to 
Tezcuco  and  established  himself  in  the  palace  with  a 
view  to  prosecuting  the  search  for  him. 

The  attendants  of  the  prince's  limited  household 
were  not  disturbed,  except  being  required  to  serve  the 
officer  and  his  men. 

Itzalmo  retired  to  his  apartment,  out  of  which  he 
was  seldom  seen. 

The  idea  that  the  prince  was  concealed  somewhere 
in  the  palace  was  soon  abandoned,  and  for  a  few  days 
nothing  occurred  to  cause  commotion  or  interrupt  the 
quiet  of  the  place.  Thus  matters  stood,  when  one 


A   PRINCE    OP  ANAHUAC.  89 

morning  a  soldier  accidentally  came  upon  the  secret 
door  through  which  the  prince  made  his  escape.  The 
discovery  was  reported  to  the  officer,  who,  after  mak- 
ing a  thorough  investigation,  in  turn  reported  it  to  the 
king. 

The  officer,  in  advising  the  king  of  the  discovery, 
also  reported  Itzalmo  as,  in  his  opinion,  having  knowl- 
edge of  the  prince's  whereabouts.  Maxtla  instructed 
him  to  question  the  old  man  with  a  view  to  gaining 
such  information  as  would  lead  to  the  capture  of  the 
fugitive.  If  he  refused  to  impart  the  desired  informa- 
tion, the  officer  was  ordered  to  bring  him  before  his 
majesty. 

Itzalmo  was  kept  posted  with  reference  to  the 
prince's  movements,  and  was  aware  of  his  having 
gone  to  seek  refuge  in  the  mountains.  He  was  sorely 
troubled  because  of  the  perils  to  which  his  protege 
would  be  exposed,  and  he  no  longer  at  hand  to  advise 
and  assist  him.  No  thought  of  impending  danger  to 
himself  had  entered  his  mind.  His  concern  for  his 
young  master  had  caused  him  to  entirely  overlook 
such  a  contingency. 

It  was  about  noon  of  the  day  following  that  on 
which  Hualcoyotl  left  the  weaver's  cottage  that  the 
old  Tezcucan  received  a  summons  to  appear  before  the 
king's  officer.  He  was  at  once  aroused  to  a  realization 
of  the  fact  that  peril  might  be  threatening  him.  The 
impression  that  such  was  the  case  came  with  so  much 
force  that  he  hesitated  for  a  moment,  in  indecision,  as 
to  what  course  he  should  pursue.  It  was  only  for  a 
moment,  for,  on  second  thought,  he  decided  to  answer 
the  summons,  but  did  so  with  the  gravest  apprehen- 
sion. When  he  entered  the  officer's  presence,  that  in- 
dividual said : 


90  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

"You  are  Itzalmo,  Prince  Hualcoyotl's  instructor 
and  adviser,  are  you  not?  " 

"  I  have  been,  for  many  years,  the  prince's  precep- 
tor," he  replied. 

"  You  have  been  more  than  a  preceptor  to  him ;  you 
have  not  only  taught,  but  directed  him  by  your  coun- 
sel, and  have  at  all  times  stood  sentinel  over  his  per- 
son. It  was  you  who  effected  his  escape,  thus  placing 
yourself  in  opposition  to  the  king,  in  defiance  of  his 
authority.  Further  than  this,  I  am  of  opinion  that 
you  know  where  he  is  concealed,  and  have  so  reported 
to  the  king.  The  secret  of  his  sudden  disappearance 
is  at  last  in  our  possession.  The  hidden  door  through 
which  he  quit  the  palace  has  been  disclosed,  and  the 
concealed  passageway  explored,  leaving  no  doubt  as  to 
how  he  eluded  us.  As  yours  was  the  directing  hand, 
we  advise  you  to  secure  immunity  from  the  penalty  of 
your  conduct  by  revealing  to  the  king  the  prince's 
hiding  place.  By  doing  so  you  will  remain  undis- 
turbed in  your  present  quarters ;  otherwise,  the  orders 
are  to  take  you  before  the  king." 

"  If  such  are  your  orders,  your  duty  is  plain ;  per- 
form it.  I  am  in  your  power,"  was  Itzalmo's  calm 
reply. 

"You  refuse  to  impart  the  information,  do  you?" 
questioned  the  officer. 

"  You  are  answered,  for  you  have  said  it." 

"  Such  being  your  decision,  you  will  get  ready  to 
accompany  me  to  the  king's  palace  at  once.  Here, 
soldier,"  he  called  to  one  of  his  men,  "  attend  Itzalmo 
to  his  apartment,  and  when  he  is  ready,  return  with 
him  to  this  room.  Do  not  tarry,  old  man,"  said  he, 
again  addressing  Itzalmo.  "  There  is  no  time  to  lose, 
for  the  day  is  already  more  than  half  gone." 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  91 

Guarded  by  the  soldier,  Itzalmo  went  to  his  room, 
where  he  made  a  hurried  preparation  to  go  to  Azcapo- 
zalco,  before  the  king.  When  he  was  ready  he  was 
reconducted  to  the  officer's  presence,  and  after  a  short 
delay  placed  in  charge  of  two  men,  who,  with  him  be- 
tween them,  followed  the  officer  from  the  palace. 

The  distance  from  Tezcuco  to  the  Tepanec  capital 
was  not  great,  and  yet,  to  a  pedestrian,  quite  a  journey. 
While  to  the  soldiers  it  was  only  pastime  to  travel  it, 
to  Itzalmo,  who  was  unaccustomed  to  walking,  it  was 
long  and  tiresome. 

The  day  was  well  spent  when  the  party  set  out,  and 
only  a  few  leagues  were  covered  when  darkness  over- 
took them.  The  officer  was  not  disposed  to  do  any 
traveling  after  night  came  on,  so  on  coming  to  a  station 
where  persons  going  to  and  from  the  capital  were 
wont  to  stop,  he  put  up.  This  was  a  great  relief  to 
Itzalmo,  for  it  divided  the  journey  and  gave  him  a  full 
night's  rest. 

They  were  on  the  road  again  at  an  early  hour  the 
next  morning,  and  arrived  at  their  destination  late  in 
the  "afternoon,  after  a  hard  day's  travel.  On  arriving 
at  the  palace  grounds,  the  officer  led  the  way  through 
a  spacious  court  into  the  building,  going  directly  to 
the  audience  hall,  which  was  found  closed,  the  king 
and  his  council  having  retired. 

A  messenger  was  dispatched  to  inform  the  king  of 
the  arrival  from  Tezcuco  of  the  officer  with  Itzalmo. 

Maxtla  was  found  in  his  private  apartments,  walking 
back  and  forth  across  the  floor  in  a  disturbed  and  agi- 
tated state  of  mind.  It  might  well  have  been  said  of 
him :  "  Uneasy  lies  the  head  that  wears  a  crown." 
He  was  beginning  to  realize  that  his  course  would 


92  A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

prove  disastrous  to  his  authority  should  he  fail  in  his 
designs  upon  the  life  of  his  rival.  He  was  angered  to 
the  verge  of  desperation  by  the  humiliation  and  chagrin 
he  felt  in  consequence  of  the  failure  of  all  his  attempts 
to  destroy  the  prince.  The  good  Itzalmo  had,  indeed, 
fallen  under  calamitous  circumstances,  and  could  ex- 
pect only  the  direst  consequences  because  of  his  loy- 
alty to  his  royal  pupil. 

The  king's  slaves  were  near  at  hand,  listening  for 
his  slightest  command,  ready  to  execute  it  instantly. 

The  messenger  was  announced,  and,  on  coming  into 
the  presence  of  his  master,  prostrated  himself  before 
him,  at  the  same  time  delivering  the  message. 

"Arise,"  said  Maxtla,  "and  return;  say  that  the 
king  will  attend." 

The  messenger  withdrew,  and  the  king,  after  sum- 
moning his  council,  followed.  He  entered  the  audience 
hall,  and  ascended  to  his  seat  on  the  throne.  A  mo- 
ment later  his  advisers  filed  in,  and  took  their  accus- 
tomed places  about  him.  Itzalmo's  official  conductor 
now  advanced  before  the  throne,  and,  making  his  obei- 
sance, said: 

"  The  orders  of  the  king,  with  reference  to  the  old 
instructor  of  the  Tezcucan  prince,  have  been  obeyed. 
He  has  refused  to  impart  to  your  servant  the  informa- 
tion asked  for,  and  has  been  brought  here  to  appear 
before  your  majesty.  What  is  my  master's  pleasure, 
concerning  him?  " 

"  We  would  question  the  old  Tezcucan.  You  will 
present  him  before  us." 

When  Itzalmo's  official  conductor  went  forward  to 
learn  the  king's  pleasure  with  reference  to  the  disposal 
of  his  charge  he  left  him  in  care  of  the  two  soldiers. 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  93 

While  awaiting  the  officer's  return  the  tired  prisoner 
was  permitted  to  sit  down.  The  journey  had  left  its 
impress  of  weariness  upon  him,  and  even  a  moment 
off  his  feet  was  a  welcome  relief. 

The  old  man  entertained  no  hope  of  clemency,  for  it 
was  not  in  his  nature  to  be  else  than  loyal  to  his  young 
master,  which  would  bring  upon  him  the  infliction  of 
a  most  terrible  doom — a  death  of  purposely  protracted 
agony.  Yet,  as  he  sat  there  dumb  and  motionless,  he 
presented  a  perfect  picture  of  stoicism.  '  If  a  thought 
in  anticipation  of  his  impending  fate  disturbed  his 
mind  he  did  not  show  it.  Such  a  mind  as  his,  how- 
ever, could  not  possibly  avoid  dwelling  upon  the  pos- 
sibilities of  the  hour;  and  it  naturally  followed  that, 
under  the  exhibition  of  supreme  indifference  which  he 
presented,  there  was  an  active  intelligence  present,  the 
run  of  which  no  move  or  sign  attested. 

The  officer  presently  returned,  and  Itzalmo  was  told 
to  arise  and  follow.  A  few  steps  brought  him  to  the 
throne,  where  he  was  presented  before  the  king  and  his 
council.  He  appeared  haggard  and  worn,  yet  his 
bearing  was  firm  and  dignified.  He  did  not  forget  his 
duty  as  a  subject,  though  an  unwilling  one,  but  saluted 
the  king  in  the  usual  manner. 

Maxtla  bade  him  rise,  and  said : 

"  We  are  told  that  you  are  Itzalmo,  the  person  who 
has  been  tutor  and  counselor  to  the  prince  of  Tezcuco. 
Are  we  correctly  informed  ?  " 

"  Itzalmo  is  before  the  king.  He  has  been  the  pre- 
ceptor and  servant  of  Hualcoyotl,  the  prince,"  he  an- 
swered, decorously. 

"  We  know  what  your  relation  to  the  prince  has 
been,  and  think  you  have  served  him  well,"  replied 


94  A.   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

Maxtla,  rather  mildly  for  him.  He  had  an  object,  how- 
ever, in  dealing  thus  with  his  prisoner.  "  We  also  have 
reason  to  believe  that  his  present  place  of  concealment 
is  known  to  you,"  he  continued.  "  Your  presence  here 
is  by  our  order,  and  the  council's  approval.  We  would 
obtain  from  you  information  which  will  lead  to  the 
royal  fugitive's  apprehension.  Will  you  give  it?"  he 
concluded,  a  little  more  firmly. 

"  I  am  before  your  majesty  because  your  officer 
failed  to  gain  the  information  you  want.  Itzalmo  is 
not  a  woman.  Let  that  suffice  for  his  answer,"  he  re- 
plied fearlessly. 

"  You  will  give  us  the  information  we  want,  or  suffer 
the  consequence  of  your  obstinacy,"  returned  the  king, 
his  anger  rising.  "  Your  hand,  old  man,  has  been  the 
one  to  defeat,  in  every  instance,  the  efforts  made  to  de- 
stroy the  disturber  of  our  peace.  You  have  forfeited 
our  clemency ;  yet  if  you  will  tell  us  where  the  prince 
may  be  found,  your  life  shall  be  spared ;  you  shall  go 
free,  and  have  great  riches  beside.  Will  you  speak  the 
words  which  shall  give  you  life,  liberty,  and  wealth,  or 
will  you  persist  in  being  obstinate,  and  bring  upon 
yourself  the  consequences  of  your  treasonable  con- 
duct?" 

"Maxtla  is  a  mighty  king;  Itzalmo  an  old  man, 
whose  life  is  of  little  account  to  anyone,  least  of  all  to 
himself.  Was  his  life  a  thousand  times  more  valuable 
than  it  is,  it  would  yet  be  as  many  times  too  small  a 
price  to  purchase  that  which  you  ask.  Itzalmo  has 
lived  true  to  his  prince,  and  will  die  as  he  has  lived. 
L,et  Maxtla  do  his  worst ;  I  have  spoken,"  was  the 
heroic  reply  of  the  old  Tezcucan. 

"  You  forget,  old   man,  in  whose  presence  you  are, 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  95 

and  to  whom  you  speak.  Know  you,  that  a  word  from 
us  would  consign  you  to  the  sacrifice  ?  Have  a  care, 
or  your  age  may  not  save  you,"  said  the  tyrant,  his 
face  darkening  with  suppressed  passion.  He  paused 
and  looked  with  an  angry  scowl  upon  the  brave  and 
silent  man  before  him.  "  Hark  you,  Itzalmo,"  he  con- 
tinued, "  and  mark  well  what  I  say ;  if  you  give  us  not 
the  information  we  have  asked  for,  it  is  our  decree  that 
you  shall  starve;  yes,  rot,  in  the  lowest  and  foulest 
dungeon  "at  our  disposal.  For  the  last  time  I  ask,  will 
you  divulge  the  prince's  hiding  place?"  The  rising 
wrath  of  the  tyrant  was  fearful  to  behold,  and  would 
have  shaken  the  firmness  of  a  less  courageous  man 
than  Itzalmo;  but  his  answer  was  in  keeping  with  his 
character. 

"  The  threats  of  Maxtla  are  to  Itzalmo  as  the  play 
of  the  idle  winds,"  said  he.  "  The  king  may  kill,  but 
he  can  not  force  Itzalmo  to  turn  traitor  to  his  prince. 
Clemency  I  do  not  expect,  but  death.  I  am  done." 

"  Take  the  insolent  traitor  hence,  and  put  him  where 
the  light  of  the  sun  will  never  reach  him.  There  let 
him  die  the  death,  if  he  will,  inch  by  inch.  Away 
with  him  ere  in  our  wrath  we  strike  him  dead,"  fairly 
roared  the  infuriated  and  disappointed  despot. 

Itzalmo  was  half  dragged  from  the  presence  of  the 
king  and  his  council,  out  of  the  audience  chamber,  and 
down  a  massive  stairway  to  a  wide  hall  below ;  thence- 
back  to  a  narrow,  paved  court  at  the  rear  of  the  pal- 
ace. A  flight  of  stairs  led  from  this  court  to  a  hall- 
way below,  which  ran  far  back  under  the  building. 
The  old  Tezcucan  was  hurried  down  these  stairs  and 
along  the  hall  to  another  stairway,  which  led  still 
lower  down  to  a  subterranean  passage.  Here  a  light 


96  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

was  obtained,  and  the  party  descended.  When  the 
passageway  was  gained,  a  turn  to  the  left  was  made, 
and  directly  another.  They  wrent  quite  a  distance  be- 
fore changing  their  course  again,  when  they  entered  a 
narrow  avenue  leading  to  the  right,  at  the  end  of 
which  were  located  a  number  of  dungeon  cells.  Into 
one  of  these  Itzalmo  was  thrust,  and  informed  that 
nothing  but  death  or  a  compliance  with  the  king's 
demands  would  deliver  him  from  it. 


A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC.  97 


CHAPTER   X. 

THE  prince  left  Zelmonco  villa  with  an  added 
weight  to  the  gloom  which  burdened  his  soul 
and  saddened  immeasurably  his  heart.  A  new  feeling 
possessed  him — a  feeling  which  had  been  awakened  by 
the  charm  of  a  contact  with  the  object  of  his  boyhood's 
affections.  It  seemed  to  have  suddenly  become  a  part 
of  his  being,  arousing  within  him  almost  a  sense  of 
bitterness  at  his  unhappy  lot.  His  good  sense,  how- 
ever, came  to  his  support.  While  the  sentiment  which 
had  aroused  the  disturbing  feelings  that  oppressed 
him  was  not  adverse  to  his  sensibilities,  but,  on  the 
contrary,  one  that  he  would  have  gladly  encouraged ; 
still,  to  yield  to  it  at  such  a  time,  he  felt,  was  unworthy 
of  his  manhood.  He  accordingly  set  his  face  toward 
the  mountains,  and  turned  his  back  upon  the  attrac- 
tions which  lured  him  from  his  purpose,  and  went  for- 
ward to  achieve  the  object  for  which  he  had  started 
out — the  present  security  of  his  person  and  life,  and 
the  ultimate  liberation  of  his  people. 

It  was  several  leagues  from  the  villa  to  the  home  of 
the  loyal  Tezcucan ;  yet,  under  ordinary  circumstances, 
the  distance  could  have  been  covered  easily  before 
morning,  with  time  to  spare ;  for  the  natives  were  a 
people  who  traveled  very  rapidly  when  the  occasion 
required  it.  But  the  prince  was  a  fugitive,  fleeing  from 
the  emissaries  of  his  relentless  foe,  and  had  to  be  con- 


98  A   PRINCE    OF    AXAHUAC. 

tinually  on  his  guard  against  surprise.  As  a  conse- 
quence his  progress  was  greatly' impeded,  and  day- 
light found  him  still  on  the  road.  However,  he  was 
not  discovered,  and  his  journey  of  the  night  finally 
ended  in  safety. 

By  lying  over  through  one  day,  and  traveling  one 
more  night,  the  fugitives  would  arrive  at  a  point  where 
discovery  by  recognition  was  considered  a  very  remote 
probability.  This  being  the  case,  the  balance  of  the 
journey  could  then  be  pursued  by  daylight  with  little 
fear  of  detection.  Accordingly  the  prince  and  his 
companion  rested  and  refreshed  themselves  at  the 
house  of  the  former's  friend,  until  evening,  when 
their  journey  was  resumed. 

Another  night  on  the  road  was  gone  through,  which 
carried  them  well  on  their  way  toward  the  mountains. 
At  the  approach  of  the  morning's  dawn  a  secluded 
spot  off  from  the  highway  was  looked  for,  where  a  few 
hours'  sleep  could  be  had  without  fear  of  molestation. 
Such  a  spot  was  found,  and  the  tired  and  travel-worn 
sojourners  gave  themselves  over  to  recuperation  in  the 
forgetfulness  of  slumber. 

The  sun  was  well  up  toward  the  meridian  when  they 
awoke  from  a  refreshing  sleep  and  resumed  their  jour- 
ney. 

At  the  end  of  a  league  or  more  they  came  to  a 
small  hamlet  where  much-needed  refreshments  were 
procured.  Being  greatly  invigorated  by  having  par- 
taken of  a  substantial  meal,  they  proceeded  on  their 
way  with  increased  confidence. 

Several  leagues  were  covered  without  interruption, 
and  the  wayfarers  were  beginning  to  feel  quite  free 
from  anxiety,  when,  about  the  third  or  fourth  hour  of 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  99 

the  afternoon,  their  fancied  security  was  disturbed  and 
grave  apprehension  aroused  by  the  appearance,  in  front 
of  them,  of  a  party  of  six  Tepanec  soldiers.  They 
were  near  a  bend  in  the  road,  and  the  approach  of  the 
soldiers  was  not  observed  until  too  late  to  avoid  meet- 
ing them  by  turning  aside.  To  have  done  this  after 
being  seen  would  have  aroused  suspicion  in  the  minds 
of  the  advancing  troop,  and  caused  the  immediate  de- 
tention and  possible  recognition  of  the  fugitives.  Their 
only  safety,  under  the  circumstances,  lay  in  going 
straightforward  and  taking  the  chances  of  discovery. 
When  they  came  face  to  face  with  the  soldiers,  great 
was  the  prince's  surprise  and  perturbation  at  recogniz- 
ing in  a  member  of  the  band  one  of  his  guests  of  the 
day  on  which  he  fled  the  palace.  Should  he  be  recog- 
nized he  could  scarcely  hope  to  escape,  as  the  only 
means  of  defense  he  carried  was  a  stout  walking-stick, 
while  Oza  did  not  have  even  a  stick.  He  realized 
fully  the  peril  of  the  moment,  and  felt  it  to  be  more 
critical  than  any  he  had  been  called  upon  to  pass 
through.  Walking  boldly  forward,  he  passed  the  sol- 
diers. That  strange  sense  of  uneasiness  and  uncer- 
tainty which  is  produced  by  the  mingling  of  hope  and 
apprehension — a  feeling  often  experienced  by  those 
who  are  on  the  border  between  danger  and  safety,  was 
upon  him. 

"  Halt !  "  came  the  stern  command  which  broke  the 
spell,  and  caused  him  to  look  back.  "  You  are  the  one 
addressed,"  continued  one  of  the  soldiers,  who  ap- 
peared to  be  the  leader  of  the  band,  in  answer  to  the 
prince's  inquiring  look. 

"  From  whom  conies  the  authority  for  halting  a 
traveler  thus  on  the  highway?"  demanded  the  prince, 
in  return. 


100  A   PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

"  That,  you  shall  quickly  learn,"  answered  the  sol- 
dier. "  From  Maxtla,  the  king,  comes  the  authority 
for  halting  you.  You  are  the  fugitive  prince,  Hual- 
coyotl,  whom  we  have  orders  to  secure,  dead  or  alive. 
I  now  command  you,  in  the  king's  name,  to  surrender. 
If  you  are  not  Prince  Hualcoyotl,  you  will  be  quickly 
restored  to  liberty." 

"  What  reason  have  you  for  supposing  that  you  now 
address  the  person  of  Prince  Hualcoyotl?  "  inquired  he. 

"  This  man,"  said  the  soldier,  pointing  to  the  one 
previously  recognized  by  the  prince,  "  is  my  informant. 
He  saw  you  at  your  palace,  he  says,  the  day  you  es- 
caped from  the  king's  officer." 

"  He  is  mistaken,"  returned  the  prince.  "  I  am  a 
chief,  going  on  important  business.  You  will  do  well 
not  to  detain  me." 

As  he  said  this,  Hualcoyotl  turned  to  move  on. 

"  Halt !  or  we  will  make  your  body  a  target  for  our 
arrows,"  called  the  soldier,  imperatively,  and  his  men 
brought  their  bows  to  place,  to  carry  the  threat  into 
execution.  At  the  same  time  the  speaker  advanced  in 
the  direction  of  the  prince. 

"  Stop,  soldier !"  exclaimed  Hualcoyotl,  in  a  voice 
of  command  which  caused  the  warrior  to  pause.  "Ad- 
vance farther  at  your  peril,"  he  continued,  swinging 
his  heavy  stick  into  position  to  defend  himself.  The 
life  of  him  who  approaches  me  with  evil  intent  shall 
pay  the  penalty  of  his  temerity." 

"  You  can  not  escape  us,  Prince  Hualcoyotl.  The 
orders  are  to  secure  you,  and  you  will  have  to  yield," 
said  the  soldier. 

"  Never !  except  by  force.  If  you  want  me,  take 
me,"  was  the  prince's  defiant  answer. 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  IOI 

"  Then  take  you  we  will ;  alive  if  we  can,  dead  if 
we  must.  Forward,  men  !  "  Two  of  the  soldiers  gave 
their  attention  to  Oza,  while  the  other  four  advanced 
quickly  but  cautiously  upon  the  prince.  A  determined 
effort  was  made  to  get  in  on  him,  but  without  avail. 

Hualcoyotl  was  a  strong  man,  vigorous  and  skillful, 
and  being  forewarned  was  not  to  be  taken  without  a 
desperate  struggle.  The  stout  stick  in  his  trained 
hand  was  a  weapon  to  be  feared.  He  succeeded  in 
beating  off  his  assailants,  and  stood  eyeing  them  like 
a  fierce  animal  at  bay,  grim  and  defiant. 

Oza  was  quickly  secured  by  the  two  soldiers,  who 
now  came  to  the  assistance  of  their  comrades.  An- 
other advance  was  made  upon  the  prince,  the  soldiers 
approaching  him  from  every  point.  He  met  them  with 
heavy,  telling  blows,  and  one  of  their  number  went 
down  under  his  stick  to  rise  no  more.  It  was  a  fiercely 
contested  struggle,  and  had  the  stick  in  the  prince's 
hand  been  a  more  formidable  weapon  the  soldiers  would 
have  found  in  him  more  than  a  match.  But  skill, 
backed  by  only  a  heavy  walking  stick,  though  wielded 
by  a  strong  right  arm,  could  not  long  hold  out  against 
such  odds.  He  saw  that  he  would  be  compelled  to 
yield,  and  was  about  to  do  so,  when,  to  his  great  aston- 
ishment, and  the  amazement  of  his  assailants,  a  shout 
rang  out  upon  the  air  at  their  very  ears,  which  stag- 
gered the  soldiers  for  the  moment  with  confusion.  Be- 
fore they  could  recover  they  were  attacked  with  the 
deadly  Indian  sword,  the  maquahwtl,  in  the  hands  of 
one  who  evidently  knew  how  to  use  it.  The  struggle 
was  quickly  terminated.  The  suddenness  of  the  on- 
slaught, and  its  fatal  result  to  two  of  the  party,  who 
were  placed  hors  de  combat,  filled  the  survivors  with 


102  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

consternation,  which  caused  them  to  seek  safety  in 
flight.  A  number  of  arrows  were  sent  after  them  by 
the  newcomer,  which  had  the  effect  of  facilitating  their 
departure,  and  they  were  soon  out  of  sight. 

Oza  was  quickly  released  from  his  uncomfortable 
predicament,  and  found  to  have  received  no  personal 
injury. 

Saluting  his  rescuer  in  a  very  humble  manner,  the 
prince  said : 

"  To  whom  are  we  indebted  for  our  happy  deliver- 
ance? " 

"  To  a  hunter,  only,"  replied  the  newcomer,  who  was 
none  other  than  our  recent  acquaintance,  Cacami,  the 
Tezcucan  hunter,  whom  we  left  enjoying  the  hospital- 
ity of  the  mountaineer,  Tezcot,  and  who  was  now  en 
route  home.  "  Seeing  you  unfairly  set  upon  by  a  troop 
of  villainous  Tepanec  soldiers,"  he  went  on,  "  I  thought 
I'd  take  a  hand,  and  see  how  quickly  fled  the  cowardly 
pack,  except  these  three — "  He  paused  to  examine  the 
fallen  soldiers,  to  learn  what  was  their  condition,  and 
then  continued,  "who,  I  fear,  are  past  the  aid  of  man." 

"Your  coming,  friend, was  most  timely;  a  moment 
later  and  we  would  have  been  in  their  power,"  said  the 
prince. 

"  That  was  about  the  situation,  stranger,  as  I  saw  it," 
returned  the  hunter. 

"  You  have  done  us  a  very  great  service,  and  I  regret 
that  we  are  unable  to  suitably  reward  you.  Words  will 
not  do  it,  which  leaves  us  poor,  indeed,  at  this  moment. 
An  expression  of  our  deep  gratitude  is  all  we  have  to 
offer  you.  Inadequate  as  it  is,  it  is  sincere,"  spoke  the 
prince,  feelingly. 

"  There  is  nothing  to  reward,  friend,  nor  is  there  any 


A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC.  IO3 

call  for  an  expression  of  gratitude.  What  I  did  for 
you  I  would  do  for  another,  under  the  same  circum- 
stances," replied  Cacami,  who  was  disposed  to  depre- 
ciate the  service  he  had  rendered  the  prince. 

"And  yet  you  would  be  justified  in  pronouncing  us 
ungrateful  were  we  silent  and  unfeeling  in  the  matter," 
said  Hualcoyotl. 

"  I  only  did  my  duty,  stranger;  that's  all.  So,  say 
no  more  about  it,"  persisted  the  hunter. 

"  You  will  at  least  give  us  your  name,"  urged  the 
prince.  "  We  would  be  glad  to  know  and  remember 
it." 

Cacami  looked  at  the  dead  soldiers,  two  of  them 
victims  of  his  own  sword ;  and  realizing  the  magni- 
tude of  his  offence  against  the  king,  decided  not  to 
make  himself  known.  He  said,  very  courteously,  in 
reply  to  the  prince : 

"  I  do  not  doubt  your  gratitude,  friend,  for  the  serv- 
ice rendered  you.  It  was  done  impulsively,  and  with 
unfortunate  result  to  two  of  these  men,  lying  here, 
dead,  almost  at  our  feet.  I  would  not  be  remembered 
for  such  service,  and  beg  that  you  will  permit  me  to 
pass  on  unknown." 

"  We  will  not  press  you,  hunter,  but  deeply  regret 
that  your  feelings  lead  you  to  withhold  your  name. 
You  have  done  a  greater  service  than  you  can  at  pres- 
ent be  aware  of,"  pursued  the  prince  in  tones  which 
conveyed  an  impression  of  mystery.  "  Should  you  be- 
come known  to  us,  we  will,  if  in  our  power,  reward  you 
for  it  in  a  fitting  manner." 

Cacami  looked  wonderingly  at  the  prince,  because  of 
the  hidden  significance  which  was  evident  in  his  re- 
mark. He  was,  apparently,  on  the  point  of  putting  an 


104  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

inquiry,  but  suddenly  changed  his  mind,  answering 
only  by  a  look  of  depreciation. 

The  prince,  casting  his  eyes  in  the  direction  taken 
by  the  retreating  soldiers,  continued,  by  saying: 

"Our  assailants  may  return  with  assistance;  I  think 
we  had  better  be  gone.  In  parting  from  you,  hunter, 
we  would  once  more  express  our  gratitude,  with  a 
hope  that  we  may  meet  again,  under  more  auspicious 
circumstances." 

"All  right,  stranger ;  I  join  you  in  the  hope,  but 
have  no  doubt  that  this  little  incident  will  have  been 
forgotten  then,"  returned  Cacami. 

"  No,  that  could  not  be ;  at  least,  not  by  one  of  us." 

With  these  words  the  prince  turned  away,  and  moved 
rapidly  down  the  road,  followed  by  his  attendant. 

Cacami's  appearance  and  outfit  bespoke  him  the 
citizen  hunter.  The  Indian  sword  (maquahuitl}  he 
carried  marked  him  as  such,  for  hunters,  as  a  class,  did 
not  carry  that  weapon,  on  account  of  its  weight.  He 
was  undoubtedly  a  successful  hunter  if  the  game  se- 
cured was  taken  into  account.  Standing  some  distance 
off  from  where  he  was  were  two  men  who  proved  to 
be  his  servants.  They  had  charge  of  a  fine  collection 
of  birds  and  small  animals,  which  he  had  secured  since 
leaving  Tezcot's.  The  men  appeared  to  be  awaiting 
orders  from  him ;  for  on  being  signaled  to  move  up 
they  did  so  promptly. 

The  dead  soldiers  were  moved  to  one  side  of  the 
road  by  Cacami  and  his  men,  and  left  there  to  be  dis- 
posed of  by  others,  or,  possibly,  to  become  prey  for 
carniverous  birds  and  beasts. 

So  soon  as  the  prince  and  Oza  got  beyond  the  bend 
in  the  highway  and  out  of  view,  they  betook  them- 


A   PRINCE   OF   AN  AH  U  AC.  105 

selves  to  the  fields  and  woods  for  better  protection. 
Hualcoyotl's  confidence  in  his  security  was  gone,  and 
he  again  became  the  anxious  and  watchful  fugitive. 

The  mountains,  in  which  refuge  and  safety  were 
sought,  were  finally  reached.  In  a  fastness  among  the 
rocks  the  prince  found  a  fairly  comfortable  retreat,  and 
preparations  were  made  for  a  temporary  sojourn  in  it. 

The  soldiers  who  escaped  the  deadly  sword  of  the 
hunter,  instead  of  returning  to  look  after  their  unfor- 
tunate companions,  hurried  to  the  nearest  point  and 
reported  their  adventure  to  the  military. 

This  was  the  first  information  received  by  the  Tepa- 
nec  authorities  of  the  prince's  whereabouts.  Troops 
were  dispatched  immediately  in  the  direction  of  the 
mountains  in  pursuit  of  him,  and  his  place  of  con- 
cealment soon  became  menaced  by  straggling  bands 
of  them,  making  the  matter  of  procuring  food  a  very 
serious  one.  It  was  hardly  safe  for  the  fugitives  to 
venture  out  on  the  mountain,  leaving  out  of  the  ques- 
tion the  idea  of  going  from  it.  For  days  they  had 
nothing  to  eat  except  roots  and  berries ;  as  a  conse- 
quence, their  situation  became  very  distressing. 

The  prince  insisted  that  Oza  should  return  to  Tez- 
cuco,  and  leave  him  to  his  fate,  but  the  faithful  slave 
would  not  hear  to  it. 

"  Why  sacrifice  two  lives,  Oza,  when  one  may  be 
saved?"  urged  he. 

"  It  is  useless  to  urge  me,  good  master ;  I  would  be  a 
base  coward  to  leave  you  now,"  was  the  loyal  answer. 

"As  you  please,  but  remember  you  are  free  to  go , 
whenever  you  so  desire,"  said  the  generous  prince. 


106  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE  mission  which  tzin  Euet  had  undertaken  to 
perform  was  essentially  one  of  secrecy.  The  fact 
that  he  was  little  known  outside  of  Tezcuco  was  greatly 
to  his  advantage,  making  it  unnecessary  for  him  to  lay 
aside  his  personality.  He  assumed  the  character  of  a 
trader  prospecting  for  future  business.  His  primary 
object  was  to  obtain  certain  information  which  he 
could  not  secure  except  by  contact  with  his  fellow 
Tezcucans,  and  then  only  through  their  confidence, 
which  he  was  very  successful  in  gaining. 

The  tzin  was  a  young  man  of  superior  natural  re- 
sources, and,  being  of  an  agreeable  and  affable  disposi- 
tion, his  efforts  were  rewarded  in  a  very  satisfactory 
degree.  He  found  the  thoughtful  men  of  his  tribe,  out- 
side of  Tezcuco,  ready  to  talk  sedition  to  anyone  whom 
they  could  trust ;  and,  as  the  sum  of  the  tyrant's  in- 
humanity grew  in  proportion  with  the  passing  of  every 
sun,  their  language  became  more  pronounced. 

The  young  agitator  quickly  came  to  the  conclusion 
that  the  times  were  almost  ripe  for  insurrection,  and 
decided  to  proceed  at  an  early  day  to  practical  meas- 
ures— which  meant  the  organization  of  an  army  of  re- 
sistance. 

The  attempted  assassination  of  Hualcoyotl  at  his 
palace,  and  his  sudden  and  mysterious  disappearance, 
followed  by  the  issuing  of  the  king's  proclamation, 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  107 

making  him  an  outlaw  with  a  price  upon  his  life,  .when 
brought  to  the  tzin's  notice,  caused  him  the  deepest 
anxiety.  Realizing,  however,  that  his  presence  would 
be  of  no  advantage  to  the  fugitive,  even  could  he  reach 
him,  he  continued  to  prosecute  his  mission,  holding,  at 
all  times,  an  open  ear  for  further  information  regarding 
him.  He  obtained  no  additional  intelligence  of  his 
friend,  meanwhile,  which  worried  him  considerably ; 
so  much,  indeed,  that  he  decided,  on  arriving  at  Tlaco- 
pan,  to  return  to  Tezcuco  in  quest  of  it.  He  set  out 
accordingly,  and  later  on  we  find  him  at  a  small  village 
within  a  short  day's  journey  of  his  destination,  where 
he  has  just  entered  a  hostelry  with  a  view  to  procuring 
supper  and  a  night's  lodging.  On  entering  the  hostelry 
he  cast  his  eyes  about  him,  as  a  person  will  at  entering 
a  public  place,  especially  if  a  strange  one.  They  fell 
upon  a  young  man  whose  appearance  was  that  of  a 
hunter,  and,  for  some  undefinable  cause — a  congenial- 
ity of  spirit  possibly — which  under  peculiar  conditions 
draws  one  person  unconsciously  toward  another — his 
attention  was  instantly  attracted  to  him.  The  young 
man  was,  seemingly,  weary ;  for  at  the  moment  in 
which  the  tzin  entered  he  was  more  sleeping  than 
waking.  He  was  disturbed  by  the  look  which  was 
fixed  upon  him,  and  raised  his  eyes,  revealing  to  us 
again  the  now  familiar  countenance  of  the  hunter  Ca- 
cami,  who  only  a  few  hours  before  had  saved,  una- 
wares, the  life  of  the  fugitive  prince.  An  expression 
of  inquiry  came  over  his  face,  as  much  as  to  say: 
"  Did  you  speak  ?  " 

Euetzin  moved  near  to  where  he  sat,  and  addressed 
him. 

Cacami  straightened  himself  up,  and  a  conversation 
was  opened. 


108  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

Following  a  few  incidental  remarks,  the  tzin  said: 

"  You  appear  to  be  a  stranger  here,  like  myself." 

"  Yes,  I  am  ;  entirely  so.  My  home  is  more  than  a 
day's  journey  from  this  place,"  replied  Cacami. 

"  If  I  read  you  correctly,  you  are  a  Tezcucan,"  con- 
tinued the  tzin. 

"  If  a  man  at  this  time  may  make  such  a  claim,  yes. 
I  live  with  my  father,  who  resides  about  two  leagues 
north  of  the  city  of  Tezcuco." 

"Are  you  going  to  or  from  home  ?"  inquired  the 
tzin,  hoping  it  might  be  the  former,  in  which  case  he 
would  have  a  companion  for  the  rest  of  his  journey. 

"  I  am  homeward  bound,  and  have  only  stopped  for 
the  night,  intending  to  go  on  in  the  morning." 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  say  that,"  replied  the  tzin, 
his  face  brightening.  "My  destination  is  Tezcuco,  or 
near  there,"  he  continued,  "  and  it  would"  please  me 
much  to  be  permitted  to  join  you  for  the  remainder 
of  my  journey." 

"  Nothing  would  suit  me  better ;  so  let  us  consider 
it  settled  that  we  will  travel  together,"  replied  Cacami, 
well  pleased. 

"  I  find  it  very  solitary  traveling  alone,"  pursued  the 
inexperienced  tzin.  "A  good  companion  is  apprecia- 
ble when  one  is  on  the  road." 

"  Yes,  that  is  true ;  and  yet  I  have  learned  that  a 
person  may  become  accustomed  to  traveling  unat- 
tended." 

"  You  have  the  appearance  of  being  a  hunter ;  is 
that  your  occupation?"  inquired  Euetzin. 

"  Not  exactly.  I  am  what  you  might  call  a  citizen 
hunter.  I  do  not  hunt  with  the  object  of  gain.  My 
father  is  a  wealthy  farmer  and  trader ;  consequently 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  109 

there  is  no  hurry  for  me  to  choose  an  occupation. 
Being  inclined  to  the  chase,  I  devote  a  part  of  my  time 
in  its  pursuit." 

"  You  would  make  a  fine  soldier,"  remarked  the  tzin, 
his  thoughts  reverting  to  the  subject  in  which  he  was 
immediately  interested.  "  Have  •  you  never  thought 
of  the  warrior's  calling  as  being  especially  suitable  for 
a  man  of  your  superior  physique?" 

"  Yes,  I  have  thought  of  it,"  replied  Cacami,  at  the 
same  time  looking  searchingly  at  his  questioner.  "And 
should  the  future  bring  the  opportunity  which  would 
make  it  agreeable  for  me  to  do  so,  I  may  adopt  the 
calling.  I  would  not  be  a  soldier  of  the  ranks,  how- 
ever, for  I  could  not  endure  the  drudgery  of  such  a 
life.  I  engage  in  the  practice  of  arms  a  great  deal, 
and  delight  in  the  pursuit." 

"  Then  you  are,  no  doubt,  well  skilled  in  using 
them." 

"  Yes,  especially  in  handling  the  javelin.  I  have 
given  that  arm  much  study,  and  think  I  may  claim  to 
be  fairly  good  at  throwing  it.  The  bow  and  maquahuitl 
are  not  strange  to  me ;  I  can  use  them  when  it  is  nec- 
essary," he  replied,  showing  confidence  in  his  skill. 

The  conversation  was  here  interrupted  by  the  an- 
nouncement of  supper,  and  was  not  again  renewed 
during  the  evening. 


The  morning  succeeding  the  evening  on  which 
Euetzin  and  Cacami  met  in  the  public  apartment  of 
the  hostelry  was  an  auspicious  one  for  the  young  men, 
promising  them  an  enjoyable  day's  journey  together. 
At  a  seasonable  hour  they  took  the  road  for  Tezcuco, 


110  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

and  stimulated  by  a  delicious  and  bracing  atmosphere, 
fairly  bounded  over  the  ground  as  they  passed  from 
the  village  into  the  open  country.  Notwithstanding 
the  invigorating  effect  of  the  pure  morning  air  upon 
them,  they  were  not  very  communicative  when  first 
starting  out.  They  had  not  yet  awakened  to  an  appre- 
ciation of  the  life  and  beauty  which  lay  before  them. 

The  country  through  which  the  travelers  had  to 
pass  was  grandly  beautiful  and  picturesque,  impressing 
the  reflective  beholder  with  a  sublime  conception  of 
Nature's  enchanting  handiwork. 

To  the  left  of  them,  stretching  away  in  the  distance, 
were  the  placid  waters  of  lake  Tezcuco,  on  the  un- 
ruffled bosom  of  which,  here  and  there,  floated  the 
garden  and  home  of  some  ingenious  Aztec,  the  like 
of  which  a  century  later  presented  a  scene  of  aston- 
ishment and  wonder  to  the  Spanish  conquerors.  To 
their  right,  gently  rising  toward  the  ascending  sun, 
swept  a  view  of  incomparable  loveliness — a  view  which 
was  then  unsullied  by  the  touch  of  vandal  hands;  now, 
alas!  marred  and  scarred  by  the  march  and  tread  of  a 
rapacious  and  unappreciative  civilization. 

The  day,  which  was  one  of  sunshine  and  fruition, 
grew  apace,  and  the  young  men  became  more  compan- 
ionable as  their  knowledge  of  each  other  widened. 
The  tziti  early  inquired  the  name  of  his  fellow  so- 
journer,  and,  also,  by  making  himself  known,  drew 
from  him  his  views  on  tribal  affairs.  When  he  had 
gained  this,  to  him,  important  information,  he  ex- 
pressed himself  as  follows : 

"I  thank  you  for  your  frankness;  and  would  add 
that  I  not  only  hope,  but  believe,  our  coming  together 
at  this  time  will  lead  to  a  true  and  profitable  comrade- 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  Ill 

ship.  Tezcuco  needs  the  aid  of  all  her  true  sons  to 
reestablish  her  in  her  former  place  among  the  nations 
of  Anahuac,  to  accomplish  which  the  courage  and 
patriotism  of  her  people  will  be  sorely  tested.  War  to 
the  death  must  be  met  and  stubbornly  waged  ere  that 
desirable  end  may  be  reached.  In  such  a  test  of 
courage,  where,  I  would  ask,  will  be  found  the  hunter, 
Cacami? " 

"  I  would  not  be  counted  a  boaster,"  replied  the 
hunter ;  "  but,  when  the  test  is  required  of  me,  the 
friend  of  Hualcoyotl  may  be  assured  that  my  arm  will 
be  found  where  maquahuitl  and  javelin  shall  find  the 
most  to  do  for  Tezcuco's  deliverance." 

"  You  say  well,  O  Cacami,  and  I  commend  you 
heartily!"  exclaimed  the  tzin,  approvingly.  "The 
same  spirit  of  loyalty  which  inspires  you  inspires  all 
the  best  men  of  our  tribe.  Take  heart  with  me,  O 
friend,  for  the  future  holds,  at  least,  a  hope  of  freedom 
for  our  country." 

The  tzin's  zeal  affected  his  companion  not  a  little, 
who  added  an  unqualified  wish  that  the  hope  might 
not  be  a  vain  one. 

The  day  passed  pleasantly  away,  bringing  the  way- 
farers, at  a  late  hour  in  the  afternoon,  to  a  point  oppo- 
site Zelmonco  villa,  which  was  situated  some  distance 
off  from  the  highway. 

Cacami  was  counting  on  reaching  Tezcuco,  a  league 
and  a  half  further  on,  before  night,  where  he  purposed 
stopping  until  morning.  When  the  time  came  for  part- 
ing company,  Euetzin  interfered  very  materially  with 
his  plans  by  extending  to  him  a  cordial  invitation  to 
become  his  guest,  pressing  the  invitation  with  so  much 
earnestness  that  he  reluctantly  consented. 


112  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

The  young  hunter  had  impressed  the  tzin  most  fav- 
orably, and,  in  addition  to  extending  to  him  the  hospi- 
tality of  his  home,  he  designed  making  an  ally  of  him. 

The  villa  was  a  full  half  league  from  the  main  thor- 
oughfare, but  the  young  men  were  good  walkers,  and 
soon  had  the  satisfaction  of  ending  their  day's  journey. 

The  park,  fronting  the  villa,  was  gained ;  and  as 
they  passed  up  through  it,  Cacami  was  forcibly  struck 
with  its  great  attractiveness — a  veritable  hill  of  flowers, 
showing,  in  its  conception,  an  advanced  degree  of  tact 
and  taste. 

Teochma  saw  her  beloved  boy  corning  up  the  walk, 
and  came  hurriedly  to  meet  him.  He  saluted  her  affec- 
tionately, and,  in  turn,  was  joyfully  welcomed  back  to 
his  home. 

Cacami  was  kindly  received,  and  on  bended  knee,  as 
was  the  custom,  rendered  respectful  obeisance  to  the 
mother  of  his  friend. 

"  We  give  you  a  hearty  welcome  to  Zelmonco,"  she 
said,  cordially. 

"  Your  kindness  is  most  gratifying,  especially  since 
we  meet  as  strangers,"  he  humbly  replied. 

"We  meet  as  strangers,  'tis  true,  but  will  part  as 
friends,  I'm  sure,"  she  answered,  affably.  "  Our  door 
is  always  open.  The  stranger  may  enter  it,  even  as  a 
friend.  Come,"  she  concluded,  turning  toward  the 
villa  door,  at  which  they  were  met  by  Itlza,  the  sight 
of  whom  was  a  genuine  surprise  to  Cacami.  Euetzin 
had  said  very  little  to  him  regarding  his  family,  and 
nothing  at  all  of  her.  The  young  hunter  was,  there- 
fore, not  expecting  to  meet  a  maiden — especially  one 
of  such  peculiar  attractiveness. 

The  brother  and  sister  greeted  each  other  lovingly, 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  113 

and  Cacami  was  made  known  to  the  latter.  She  re- 
ceived his  salutation  with  coy  reserve,  and  the  sur- 
prised young  man  said  : 

"  This  is  a  pleasure  I  was  not  looking  for.  That  my 
friend  might  have  a  sister  never  once  entered  my 
mind." 

Observing  the  brightness  of  her  beautiful,  sparkling 
eyes,  he  was  led  to  express  almost  abruptly,  but  in  a 
voice  full  of  unfeigned  admiration,  the  thought  they 
inspired : 

"  Itlza  is  a  very  pretty  name,"  he  said ;  "  yet,  if  I 
might  be  permitted  to  do  so,  I  would  substitute  an- 
other— one  that  would  be  peculiarly  appropriate." 

They  all  bent  upon  him  an  inquiring  look,  which 
encouraged  him  to  go  on.  Continuing,  he  said,  gayly : 
"  '  The  Laughing-eyes ';  would  not  that  be  delightfully 
expressive? " 

Cacami's  implied  admiration  for  the  rare  beauty  of 
Itlza's  eyes,  which  was  her  redeeming  attractiveness, 
was  not  a  breach  of  any  rule  of  native  etiquette,  but, 
to  her  friends  and  herself,  only  a  pleasing  mark  of  his 
appreciation.  The  tzin  looked  surprised,  but  not  dis- 
pleased ;  Teochma  smiled  a  loving  approval,  while 
Itlza  blushingly  showed  her  gratification  in  the  pleased 
look  which  lit  up  her  face. 

"Cacami  is  very  free  with  his  compliments,"  said 
the  mother ;  "  and,  as  a  flatterer,  might  prove  a  danger- 
ous acquaintance." 

"  I  am  not  a  flatterer,  I  assure  you.  My  compli- 
ments are  only  bestowed  where  they  are  deserved," 
he  replied,  looking  at  Itlza. 

"  There,  that  will  do  for  an  introduction,"  quoth  she, 
turning  away. 


114  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

The  hunting  outfit  of  the  guest  was  passed  to  a  serv- 
ant to  be  cared  for,  and,  following  Itzla,  all  entered  the 
villa. 

A  brief  description  of  Cacami  will  not,  we  think,  be 
out  of  place  just  here.  He  was  tall  and  finely  formed  ; 
straight  as  an  arrow,  and  agile  as  an  ocelotl.  His 
countenance  was,  usually,  placidity  itself,  though  easily 
disturbed  by  an  excited  emotion.  It  was  a  pleasant 
face,  and  gave  out  a  favorable  impression — the  expres- 
sion of  it  being  open  and  candid.  His  eyes  were  dark, 
but  not  so  piercing  black  as  were  those  of  most  of  his 
race.  There  was  no  uncertainty  or  want  of  courage  in 
their  look;  they  were  unhesitatingly  fixed  on  the  per- 
son or  object  before  them  with  perfect  frankness.  His 
complexion  was  of  the  lighter  cast,  though  showing 
the  effects  of  exposure  from  his  outdoor  life.  His 
mind  had  received  the  advantages  of  an  early  train- 
ing— such  advantages  as  were  attainable  for  a  wealthy 
farmer's  son.  The  practical  had  not  been  overlooked. 
He  was  a  farmer  by  education— a  calling  which  was 
considered  by  the  Aztecs  a  most  honorable  one.  He 
had  a  strong  passion  for  the  chase,  and  of  late  years 
his  time  had  been  divided  between  the  field  and  for- 
est. He  also  delighted  in  the  sports  which  were 
common  among  his  people.  This  led  him  to  become 
familiar  with  the  use  of  arms,  in  which  he  had  few, 
if  any,  superiors.  His  fine  looks  and  genial  disposi- 
tion made  him  a  favorite  wherever  he  was  personally 
known,  giving  him  a  decided  advantage  with  the 
young  folk. 

The  formalities  of  an  introduction  being  over,  the 
family  endeavored  to  make  their  guest  feel  at  ease. 
The  customary  refreshments  were  served,  of  which 
the  hungry  travelers  partook  liberally. 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  115 

When  the  repast  was  ended,  they  all  repaired  to  the 
drawing-room  to  have  a  talk. 

The  thoughts  which  were  foremost  in  the  tzin's 
mind  were  of  his  friend  Hualcoyotl.  Almost  the  first 
inquiry  he  made  was  of  him. 

"Can  my  mother  tell  us  aught  of  the  prince?"  he 
asked  ;  and,  continuing,  he  said:  "  I  have  come  all  the 
way  from  Tlacopan  to  be  informed,  having  failed  to 
learn  anything  about  him  since  his  escape  from  the 
palace." 

Teochma  cast  an  inquiring  look  from  Euetzin  to 
Cacami,  as  much  as  to  say,  "  Can  we  trust  him?  " 

The  tzin  comprehended,  and  added  : 

"  Cacami  is  a  true  and  loyal  friend,  and  may  be 
taken  into  our  confidence.  My  mother  need  have  no 
fears  on  his  account." 

"It  is  well.  Much  depends  on  our  guarding  care- 
fully the  secrets  of  our  home,  in  these  times,  from 
those  we  may  not  trust.  It  would  not  please  the  king 
to  know  that  we  had  favored  the  prince,"  she  an- 
swered. 

Euetzin  caught  her  meaning,  and  became  deeply 
interested.  Teochma  continued : 

"  Hualcoyotl  was  here,  at  the  villa,  four  days  ago, 
remaining  over  one  sun.  He  came  in  the  night,  and 
left  the  following  evening.  He  had  one  attendant  with 
him  ;  Oza,  I  think  he  called  him.  If  no  ill  has  befallen 
them,  they  are  now  on  the  mountains,  off  toward  Tlas- 
cala.  The  prince  went  there,  hoping  to  find  in  the 
mountain  fastnesses  a  safe  refuge  from  his  pursuers." 

Euetzin  looked  the  picture  of  surprise,  and  was  slow 
to  speak,  while  Cacami  suddenly  became  deeply  con- 
cerned ;  and,  when  Teochma  concluded,  said,  soraewhet 
abruptly  and  abstrusely : 


Il6  A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

"  A  vexing  oversight,  truly  ;  and  lacking  in  courage 
as  well ! " 

All  eyes  were  immediately  turned  upon  him,  and 
Teochma  asked,  much  astonished  at  the  remark  : 

"  To  what  do  you  allude  ?  " 

"  Forbear,  O  friends ;  I  would  not  appear  rude.  I 
allude  to  an  incident  with  which  I  had  to  do,  on  my 
way  in  from  the  mountains.  Your  information  with 
reference  to  the  prince's  movements,  good  Teochma, 
I  regard  as  coming  to  me  in  the  light  of  a  revelation." 

"  How  so  ?  "  inquiringly  questioned  the  now  inter- 
ested tzin. 

"  Your  excellent  mother  has  just  informed  us  that 
Hualcoyotl  left  Zelmonco  four  days  ago,  accompanied 
by  one  servant,  going  in  the  direction  of  Tlascala. 
Two  days  later  I  met  with  an  incident  in  which,  I 
feel  assured,  I  was  his  defender  in  an  encounter  with 
a  band  of  Tepanec  soldiers.  I  have  said  there  was  a 
vexing  oversight,  also  a  lack  of  courage  ;  and,  I  now 
add,  'twas  in  my  own  conduct.  I/isten,  and  judge  me, 
if  you  will.  Two  days  ago,  as  I  was  coming  from  the 
mountains,  beyond  Chalco,  I  came  suddenly  on  a  party 
of  Tepanec  soldiers,  who  were  making  a  violent  assault 
upon  a  traveler.  The  man  had  defended  himself  the 
best  he  could,  with  a  stout  walking-stick,  but  there 
were  too  many  against  him.  At  the  moment  of  my 
coming  up  he  was  on  the  point  of  yielding,  and,  a 
little  later,  would  have  been  a  prisoner.  I  grasped  my 
sword,  which  I  always  carry  when  I  go  to  the  moun- 
tains, and  made  a  vigorous  attack  upon  them.  A  few 
effective  strokes  sent  two  of  their  number  to  earth  and 
the  rest  to  flight.  The  rescued  traveler  had  one  attend- 
ant, who  was  lying  bound  and  helpless  by  the  road- 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  117 

side.  He  was  quickly  released,  and  found  to  have  re- 
ceived no  bodily  harm.  The  traveler  was  very  grate- 
ful, and  expressed  himself  in  warm  terms.  He  asked 
of  me  my  name  ;  but,  for  what  I  considered  a  sufficient 
reason,  I  begged  that  he  would  permit  me  to  pass  on 
unknown.  From  a  peculiar  remark  he  made,  I  was, 
at  one  time,  almost  led  to  inquire  who  he  was.  He 
said  I  had  done  a  greater  service  than  I  could  then 
be  aware  of,  which  struck  me  as  containing  a  hid- 
den meaning.  Inadvertently,  I  decided  not  to  make 
the  inquiry,  which,  I  see  now,  was  an  inexcusable 
oversight.  Fearing  a  return  of  the  soldiers,  he  again 
expressed  his  gratitude,  and  went  on  toward  the  moun- 
tains. I  am  quite  convinced  the  rescued  traveler  was 
none  other  than  Hualcoyotl." 

"  What  was  your  reason  for  withholding  your  name  ?  " 
asked  the  tzin. 

"  I  had  slain  two  of  the  king's  men,  under  circum- 
stances which  laid  me  liable  to  the  severest  penalty. 
I  considered  the  course  taken  the  safest,  not  knowing 
who  the  traveler  was." 

"  And  why  do  you  now  look  upon  your  course  as  an 
oversight  and  lacking  in  courage  ?  "  questioned  the  tzin. 

"  For  the  reason  that,  through  fear  of  the  tyrant, 
Maxtla,  I  was  silent,  making  no  exertion  to  learn  who 
it  was  I  had  defended,"  replied  Cacami,  in  a  self-accus- 
ing spirit. 

"The  traveler,  quite  likely,  would  have  acted  in  the 
matter  just  as  you  did :  declining  to  inform  you.  In 
fact,  if  it  was  the  prince,  I  am  sure  he  would ;  for  any 
guarantee  you  might  have  given,  as  to  your  identity, 
would  have  been  insufficient  to  satisfy  a  man  fleeing 
from  the  wrath  of  the  king.  I  do  not  think  you  have 


Tl8  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

cause  for  self-blame  at  all,  but,  on  the  contrary,  have 
for  self-approval.  You  may  have  been  overcautious — 
nothing  more.  Your  conduct  was  anything  but  cow- 
ardly, and,  I  would  assure  you,  it  will  not  go  unre- 
warded, should  our  cause  become  propitious.  Hual- 
coyotl  has  a  kind  heart,  and  does  not  forget  a  generous 
act,  especially  where  courage  is  involved,  as  in  this  in- 
stance. If  the  rescued  traveler  proves  to  have  been  the 
prince,  Tezcuco  can  never  render  adequate  honor  to 
the  hunter,  Cacami,  for  saving  his  life,"  spoke  the  tzin, 
whose  great  affection  for  his  friend  made  him  deeply 
grateful  to  his  rescuer. 

"  I  do  not  look  upon  the  act  of  rescuing  the  traveler 
as  being  more  than  the  discharge  of  an  obligation 
which  one  man  owes  to  another.  I  would  have  done 
the  same  had  it  been  the  poorest  slave,"  replied  Cacami, 
in  a  depreciating  manner. 

"  I  am  sure  that  you  would  ;  that  such  is  the  case 
does  not  detract  from  the  worthiness  of  the  act,  but 
rather  magnifies  it.  A  man  who  acts  in  such  emer- 
gencies from  a  sense  of  duty  is  deserving  of  the  high- 
est consideration.  I  have  only  words  of  praise  to  be- 
stow upon  you.  Our  love  for  Hualcoyotl  makes  the 
act  of  saving  his  life  doubly  meritorious.  Language 
fails  to  express  what  we  feel,"  returned  the  tzin,  ex- 
hibiting a  deep  sensibility. 

Euetzin  was  more  than  ever  impressed  with  the  idea 
of  making  an  ally  of  his  new  friend ;  and,  later,  sought 
to  gain  his  consent  to  join  him  in  his  work.  He  ex- 
plained to  him  the  nature  and  object  of  it,  and  assured 
him  how  gratified  he  would  be  to  have  his  assistance. 

Cacami  expressed  his  gratitude  for  the  tzin's  con- 
fidence, and  said,  further: 


A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC.  IIQ 

Should  I  follow  my  own  inclination  I  would  join 
you  at  once ;  but,  notwithstanding  I  am  beyond  the 
age  of  paternal  control,  respect  for  the  will  of  my  father 
demands  that  he  should  be  consulted  first.  I  have  no 
doubt  as  to  the  result  of  a  conference  with  him,  for  he 
is  a  strong  advocate  of  Tezcucan  independence.  You 
may  count  on  a  favorable  report  from  me,  I  think,  if  it 
will  please  you  to  wait." 

"  It  is  well.  .Your  regard  for  the  will  of  your  father 
is  praiseworthy.  I  trust  to  your  discretion  in  the  mat- 
ter, and  will  only  add  :  do  not  forget  the  importance  of 
a  silent  tongue." 

"  Be  assured,  my  good  friend,  that  your  secrets  and 
plans  shall  be  as  safely  guarded  as  my  life.  I  will  be 
only  too  glad  if  they  shall  become,  in  part,  my  own." 


The  evening  passed  away  pleasantly  and  quite  advan- 
tageously for  our  young  friend  Cacami.  A  high  estima- 
tion of  him  was  formed  by  the  several  members  of  the 
family.  Itlza  looked  upon  him  as  a  real  hero,  and 
admired  him  accordingly. 

At  an  early  hour  the  party  separated,  and  the  weary 
young  men,  anxious  to  find  the  rest  they  needed,  retired 
to  their  couches. 


120  A   PRINCE    OF   AN  AH  U  AC. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE  hunter,  Cacami,  was  heart  free  when  he  first 
entered  Zelmonco  Park,  but  not  unsusceptible  to 
heart  wounds  when  subjected  to  such  fascinating 
glances  as  greeted  him  from  Itlza's  eyes.  An  im- 
passioned admiration  for  her  was  quickly  awakened, 
and  a  way  prepared  for  him  to  become  an  easy  prey  to 
Cupid's  subtle  influence. 

When  about  to  leave  the  villa  the  next  morning,  to 
continue  his  homeward  journey,  he  sought  the  maiden 
with  a  view  to  having  a  parting  word  with  her.  Great 
was  his  disappointment  when  he  learned  that  she  was 
absent,  and  that  no  one  knew  where  she  was.  He  had 
counted  on  finding  in  his  departure  an  opportunity  in 
which  to  reveal  to  her,  by  word  or  action,  something 
of  the  feelings  with  which  she  had  inspired  him.  But 
the  fates  appeared  to  order  it  otherwise,  and  he  would 
be  compelled  to  forego  the  pleasure  such  a  parting 
would  afford  him.  Concealing  his  disappointment 
under  a  semblance  of  cheerfulness  he  bade  his  host 
and  hostess  adieu  and  started  for  the  highway. 

Leaving  the  park  he  came  to  the  road  leading  away 
from  the  villa,  and  turned  his  face  toward  Tezcuco. 
As  he  did  so  the  first  object  to  meet  his  eye  and  arouse 
him  from  the  eifects  of  his  disappointment  was  Itlza 
herself,  approaching  from  the  opposite  direction.  Was 
It  chance  or  design  which  caused  the  maiden  to  be 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  121 

there  just  at  that  time?  She  alone  could  have 
answered.  But  no  matter ;  the  sight  of  her  lifted 
Cacami  from  the  slough  of  despond,  so  to  speak,  into 
which  he  had  fallen,  and  made  him  doubly  glad  in  the 
sudden  revulsion  of  his  feelings.  His  whole  appear- 
ance was  changed  in  an  instant,  and  with  quickened 
pulse  he  hastened  forward  to  meet  her.  He  came  up 
to  her  with  pleasure  beaming  from  his  countenance, 
and  in  accents  full  of  tender  meaning  exclaimed : 

"  O  Laughing-eyes,  light  of  thy  home !  why  were 
you  not  present  to  gladden  my  departure  from  the 
villa  but  now?  To  Cacami  the  brightness  of  Zel- 
monco  was  gone  because  you  were  not  there  to  receive 
his  good-by." 

"  Why  should  my  absence  so  affect  the  hunter, 
Cacami,  when  only  a  night  hath  divided  the  days 
which  have  made  us  known  to  each  other?"  she 
answered,  naively. 

"  It  is  not  the  number  of  days  that  affect  our  lives, 
O  I/aughing-eyes,  but  what  they  bring,"  he  replied. 
"  To  Cacami  those  beautiful,  sparkling  orbs,  your  eyes, 
O  Itlza,  are  as  two  newly  risen  stars.  To  have  been 
deprived  of  the  privilege  this  morning  of  again  looking 
into  their  wonderful  depths  would  have  robbed  his 
stay  at  Zelmonco  of  its  greatest  charm,  and  cast  a  re- 
gretful shadow  on  his  pathway  home." 

"  Cacami  is  neither  discreet  nor  wise  in  the  use  of 
language.  The  words  he  speaks  are  pleasing;  and 
Itlza,  being  a  woman,  might  believe  them  spoken  in 
sincerity,  when  only  gallantry  is  intended.  Have  a 
care,  O  Cacami,  that  thy  tongue  lead  thee  not  into 
deception,"  she  replied  with  a  coquettish  air. 

"I  pray  you,  L<aughing-eyes,   believe   me  sincere. 


122  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

Were  I  possessed  of  a  deceitful  tongue,  which  I  can  not 
think  I  am,  I  could  not  impose  it  on  the  sister  of  my 
good  friend,  the  tzin.  That  would  be  baseness  of 
which  Cacami  is  not  capable,"  he  protested.  "The 
clear  crystal  fountains  which  spring  from  the  side 
of  yonder  mountain  are  not  more  pure  than  are 
the  thoughts  which  he  holds  for  Laughing-eyes,"  the 
young  hunter  went  on,  with  an  earnestness  which  be- 
spoke sincerity. 

"  Cacami  may  be  sincere,  and  his  words  well  meant, 
but  Itlza  should  not  hear  them.  Let  us  talk  of  some- 
thing else.  Have  you  a  sister  ?  " 

"  Yes,  two,  who  will  give  me  welcome  home  when  I 
cross  my  father's  threshold,"  he  replied  with  respect- 
ful deference. 

"  You  ought  to  be  very  happy,  then,  in  your  home- 
comings," she  replied. 

"  So  I  have  ever  been.  It  is  a  good  and  pleasant 
home  which  always  waits  me,  and  it  will  be  very  hard 
to  leave  it,"  he  returned,  with  a  shade  of  sadness  in  his 
voice. 

"Why  should  you  leave  it?"  she  questioned,  her 
voice  tinged  with  a  responsive  sympathy. 

"  Why  should  anyone  leave  their  childhood's  home  ? 
Even  Laughing-eyes  will  one  day  go  from  her  beauti- 
ful Zelmonco  to  find  another  home.  To  do  so  is  her 
natural  destiny,  as  it  is  mine  to  leave  the  home  I  love," 
he  answered,  with  an  expression  of  tenderness,  at  the 
same  time  watching  closely  to  observe  the  effect  his 
words  might  have  upon  her.  If  she  suspected  a 
hidden  meaning  in  them  she  did  not  show  it. 

"Is  it  far  to  your  home?"  she  asked,  appearing 
heedless  of  his  impassioned  voice. 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  123 

"  As  far  beyond  as  it  is  from  here  to  Tezcuco — about 
four  hours,"  he  answered.  "Your  question  admonishes 
me  that  I  must  not  tarry.  I  would  that  Laughing-eyes 
will  hold  me  kindly  in  her  thoughts.  Could  I  be 
assured  that  she  will,  it  would  please  me  more  than 
she  can  know,"  he  said,  seriously. 

"  You  will  come  again  and  I  will  know  you  better; 
till  then  good-by,"  she  answered  airily,  accompanying 
her  words  with  the  same  fascinating  glance  which 
had  won  his  admiration.  His  already  excited  pulse 
quickened  under  its  influence. 

As  she  hastened  away  in  the  direction  of  the  villa  he 
looked  after  her  with  a  strange,  uncertain  sensation, 
which  made  him  feel  as  if  he  had  found  a  priceless 
gem  and  was  now  about  to  lose  it.  He  watched  her 
receding  form  until  out  of  sight,  and  then  mentally 
soliloquized : 

"  Why  should  this  strange  maiden  so  impress  me  ? 
More  beautiful  have  I  looked  upon,  and  yet  no  such 
feelings  as  she  has  awakened  have  ever  stirred  me  be- 
fore. Can  it  be  that  I  have  found  a  mate  in  Laughing- 
eyes  ?  "  His  concluding  thought  was  not  an  unpleasant 
one,  as  the  expression  on  his  face  clearly  indicated. 
Again  his  steps  were  turned  toward  Tezcuco,  and  with 
rapid  strides  he  widened  the  space  which  separated  him 
from  the  object  of  his  thoughts. 

Cacami  may  not  have  found  a  mate  in  the  sister  of 
his  newly  made  friend ;  yet,  if  appearances  were  any 
criterion,  had  the  object  of  his  first  love. 

Itlza  was  not  void  of  self-pride,  and  following  on  the 
very  favorable  impressions  she  had  formed  of  the 
young  hunter,  the  flattering  words  addressed  to  her  by 
him  were  not  without  effect.  She  recalled  some  of 


124  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

them  with  a  pleasurable  satisfaction,  and  held  them  as 
something  to  be  remembered,  a  very  dangerous  thing 
for  a  young  girl  like  her  to  do  if  she  would  not  be  en- 
snared in  the  meshes  of  love's  enthralling  web. 


Cacami  returned  from  his  home  to  the  villa  about 
noon  the  following  day.  Euetzin  was  expecting  him, 
as  he  had  assured  the  tzin  that  he  would  report  the 
result  of  a  conference  with  his  father  immediately,  let 
the  conclusion  be  what  it  might.  When  he  came  up 
to  Euetzin,  who  had  gone  to  the  lower  side  of  the 
park  to  meet  him,  it  did  not  require  words  to  commu- 
nicate his  decision.  The  glad  confirmation  of  the  tzin's 
wishes  was  seen  on  his  radiant  countenance. 

"  My  friend  is  pleased,  and  I  do  not  have  to  inquire 
the  cause,"  said  he,  in  greeting  him.  "  I  read  upon 
your  face,  Cacami,  that  we  are  to  be  comrades  in  the 
fight  for  freedom."  , 

"Yes,  we  are,"  returned  Cacami.  "  This  good  right 
arm,"  he  continued,  raising  it  by  way  of  emphasis,  "  I 
have  pledged,  through  my  father,  to  the  cause  of  Tez- 
cuco  and  her  prince.  Your  proposition,  that  I  should 
become  your  assistant  in  the  work  which  you  have 
undertaken  was  favorably  considered,  and  I  am  here 
to  join  you." 

"  Your  decision  is  gratifying.  In  it  the  cause  which 
has  become  so  dear  to  me  has  found  a  strong  arm  to 
labor  in  its  defense,  and  I  a  worthy  comrade.  But 
come,  you  have  traveled,  and  are,  no  doubt,  hungry 
and  thirsty.  Refreshments  are  waiting." 

As  they  were  ascending  the  hill,  through  the  park, 
Cacami  inquired : 


A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  125 

"  Have  you  had  any  news  from  the  palace  of  the 
prince,  since  your  return?" 

"What  news  might  I  expect?  Hualcoyotl  is  not 
there." 

"  True,  the  prince  is  not  there,  but  Itzalmo — is  not 
that  the  name  of  the  old  man  who  was  his  tutor?" 

"  It  is,  but  what  of  him?  Your  words  remind  me 
that  I  have  been  remiss ;  I  should  have  gone  to  It- 
zalmo ere  this,"  replied  the  tzin. 

"  That  you  could  not  have  done,  for  Itzalmo  is  in 
prison." 

The  tzin  stopped  and  looked  at  Cacami  as  if  he  did 
not  comprehend,  and  said : 

"In  prison,  did  you  say?  And  for  what  offense, 
pray?" 

"  For  what  offense  I  did  not  learn." 

"  Where  and  when  did  you  hear  of  his  imprison- 
ment?" 

"  On  the  streets  of  Tezcuco,  yesterday.  Six  days 
ago,  'tis  said,  the  king's  officer  took  him  to  Azcapozal- 
co,"  answered  Cacami. 

"And  he  has  not  returned  ?  " 

"  No,  he  is  still  in  prison." 

"  I  must  learn  more  of  this  matter,  immediately," 
returned  the  tzin  thoughtfully. 

They  entered  the  house,  where  Cacami  met  with  a 
kindly  greeting  from  Teochma  and  Itlza. 

After  refreshments  were  served,  Euetzin  made 
known  his  purpose  of  going  to  Tezcuco  to  obtain 
further  information  relative  to  Itzalmo.  He  left  Ca- 
cami to  be  entertained  by  Itlza,  observing  that  she 
could  show  him  the  beauties  of  the  park,  and  thus 
keep  him  from  becoming  lonesome. 


126  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

O,  thoughtless  brother !  Lonesome,  indeed !  Noth- 
ing could  have  delighted  Cacami  more  than  the  pros- 
pect of  a  whole  afternoon  with  Itlza. 

Euetzin  had  been  gone  quite  a  while,  and  Itlza,  as 
he  had  suggested,  had  taken  Cacami  over  the  ground 
which  comprised  the  villa  park,  showing  him  the  most 
interesting  of  its  features,  of  which  the  family  were 
justly  proud.  She  had  finally  brought  him  to  her 
favorite  retreat,  in  the  shade  of  an  old  oak  tree,  at 
the  foot  of  which  stood  a  rustic  bench,  and,  a  little 
way  off  from  it,  a  beautiful  flowing  fountain,  which 
added  coolness  to  the  spot,  and  made  it  especially 
inviting. 

Itlza  was  seated  on  the  bench  beneath  the  tree, 
toying  with  a  bunch  of  odorous  flowers,  while  Caca- 
mi reclined  on  the  ground,  almost  at  her  feet. 

"  You  are  fleet  of  tongue,  O  Cacami,  and  your  voice 
is  like  the  cooing  of  a  dove.  The  words  fall  from 
your  lips  as  readily  as  flowing  water  from  a  hillside 
spring.  But  the  thoughts  which  fill  your  mind  are 
hidden.  Who  but  yourself  may  read  them  ?  "  she  was 
saying,  provokingly,  in  answer  to  something  he  had 
said. 

"  Surely,  L,aughing-eyes,  you  can  not  think  me 
capable  of  holding  thoughts  which  are  not  in  accord 
with  my  words  ?  I  may  be.  impulsive  and  hasty,  but 
not  deceitful,"  he  answered,  with  an  honest  emphasis 
on  his  words. 

It  was  clearly  a  case  of  love  at  first  sight  with 
Cacami,  and  his  impulsiveness  led  him  to  show  it 
plainly.  Itlza  was  more  discreet,  and  would  not  so 
easily  surrender  to  the  dictates  of  a  smitten  heart.  She 
was,  nevertheless,  fast  falling  under  the  influence  of 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  127 

the  subtle  little  archer,  though,  woman-like,  persisted 
in  fighting  it  off.  In  answer  to  Cacami's  expostula- 
tion, she  said  : 

"  I  would  not  seem  unkind,  but  would  put  a  check 
upon  your  tongue.  You  are  scarcely  more  than  a 
stranger  to  me.  Two  days  ago  you  did  not  know 
that  such  a  person  lived  as  I ;  and  yet,  in  that  short 
time,  you  are  pleading  to  hear  a  song  from  the  little 
love-bird  which  nestles  in  Itlza's  heart.  Know  you 
not,  O  Cacami,  that  the  little  bird  is  chary,  and  may 
be  easily  frightened  away?"  she  replied  archly,  but 
kindly. 

"  Your  words  are  severe,  Laughing-eyes,  yet  of 
them  I  may  be  deserving,  for  I  have  been  impetuous; 
but  I  can  not  think  my  conduct  should  drive  you 
from  me,  in  that  you  are  surely  jesting.  I  am  not  a 
trifler,  Itlza,  and,  believe  me,  never  one  spoke  more 
sincerely.  Only  bid  me  hope,  and  I  will  be  your 
silent  slave." 

We  would  not  have  the  reader  think  that  Cacami 
was  foolish,  for  he  was  not.  He  was  unquestionably 
stricken  with  that  peculiar  affection  which,  ever  since 
the  first  man  and  woman  were  brought  face  to  face, 
has  held  the  loftiest  minds,  and  brought  under  sub- 
jection the  strongest  wills,  making  slaves  of  all,  will- 
ing or  unwilling,  to  the  object  through  the  attraction 
of  which  the  affection  is  produced,  causing  men  of 
intelligence,  not  infrequently,  to  fall  into  ridicule. 
Still,  recognizing  the  iunateness  of  the  thing,  we  look 
upon  such  conduct  as  a  natural  consequence. 

Cacami's  fault  was  in  not  restraining  his  impulsive- 
ness. He  read  in  the  words  which  fell  from  Itlza's 
lips  that  she  was  not  wholly  indifferent  to  his  wooing, 
and,  as  a  last  earnest,  plead  for  a  hope. 


128  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

Itlza's  reply  was  not  very  encouraging 

"  To  bid  you  hope  might  be  to  deceive  you,"  she 
said.  "  No,  you  must  not  ask  it  of  me.  If  the  time 
should  come  when  the  little  love-bird  would  sing  its 
song  for  Cacami,  he  shall  know  it.  Promise,  then,  to 
speak  no  more  of  love  until  you  have  permission,  and 
Itlza  will  be  your  friend." 

"A  wish  from  you,  O  L/aughing-eyes,  is  a  command 
to  me.  I  will  do  the  best  I  can  ;  but  should  I  fail,  it 
will  be  for  love  of  you."  He  spoke  pathetically,  and 
Itlza's  heart  went  out  to  him  with  a  sudden  impulse, 
and  a  more  adroit  wooer  than  he  might  have  won 
there  and  then,  but  Cacami  had  promised,  and  the  op- 
portunity passed  unimproved. 

"I  have  your  promise, then ?"  asked  the  persistent 
Itlza. 

"  Yes,"  he  answered,  resignedly. 

She  laughed  at  his  sober  acquiescence  and  pathetic 
yes,  and  said : 

"  Your  ready  submission  almost  persuades  me  to  be- 
lieve you  sincere.  But,  there,  do  not  speak,"  she  sud- 
denly added,  anticipating  him,  as  he  looked  up  at  her 
fondly,  showing  in  his  expression  that  he  was  about 
to  put  some  thought  into  words.  She  placed  her  hand 
over  his  mouth,  and  continued :  "I  do  believe  you 
would  violate  your  promise  before  it  is  cold  upon 
your  iips." 

He  put  her  hand  away  gently,  and  said  : 

"  You  shall  not  again  have  occasion  to  check  me. 
Laughing-eyes  shall  learn  that  Cacami  can  hold  his 
tongue." 


A    PRINCK    OF    ANAHUAC.  1 29 

Euetzin  came  back  from  Tezcuco  toward  evening, 
and  found  the  twain  still  lingering  under  the  oak  tree 
near  the  fountain.  The  mother  came  from  the  house, 
too,  and  a  half  hour  was  passed  in  listening  to  an  ac- 
count of  his  visit  to  the  city  and  \vhat  it  revealed,  at 
the  conclusion  of  which  they  went  in  for  refresh- 
ments. 

The  day  ended,  and  night  followed,  bringing  the 
morning,  when  Euetzin,  with  his  newly  acquired  friend 
and  comrade,  set  out  to  continue  the  prosecution  of 
his  patriotic  mission. 


I3<->  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

TENOCHTITLAN,  later  the  city  of  Mexico,  was 
founded  by  the  primitive  Mexicans  (Aztecs),  early 
in  the  fourteenth  century,  about  two  hundred  years 
prior  to  the  advent  of  the  Spaniards  on  the  Anahuac. 
The  city  was  situated,  originally,  on  a  group  of  small 
islands  in  the  southwestern  portion  of  lake  Tezcuco, 
nearly  one  league  from  the  shore,  and  was,  for  more 
than  a  century,  a  very  frail  and  peculiarly  constructed 
place.  Its  houses  were  built  chiefly  of  wood,  reeds, 
and  rushes,  with  the  exception,  perhaps,  of  the  princi- 
pal structures  and  teacollis  (temples),  which  were, 
doubtless,  of  sun-dried  blocks  of  clay.  Many  of  the 
houses,  for  want  of  space,  were  built  over  the  water, 
supported  by  driven  piles,  upright  posts,  and  were  ap- 
proachable in  many  instances  only  by  canoe.  A  canoe 
was  therefore  an  indispensable  possession  to  an  inhab- 
itant of  the  island  city. 

The  absence  of  stone  in  the  construction  of  build- 
ings in  the  first  century  of  the  city's  existence  was,  no 
doubt,  attributable  to  the  fact  that  it  was  reached  by 
canoe,  only,  previous  to  the  construction  of  causeways  ; 
after  which  followed  a  rapid  transformation  in  its  com- 
position and  appearance,  until,  at  the  time  of  the  con- 
quest, it  had  become  a  wonderful  city  of  stone  palaces 
and  temples,  with  grand  squares  and  broad  avenues. 


A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC.  13! 

Notwithstanding  Tenochtitlan,  at  the  time  of  which 
we  write,  was  greatly  inferior  in  its  construction  to  the 
other  large  cities  of  the  valley,  it  was  a  veritable  bee- 
hive in  the  animation  and  density  of  its  population. 

It  was  the  capital  of  a  fierce  and  aggressive  people, 
who  were  not  only  brave,  but  cunning,  in  their  ag- 
gression, which  led  to  their  complete  supremacy  under 
the  last  Montezuma. 

The  question  as  to  why  the  Aztecs  chose  so  incon- 
venient a  location  on  which  to  build  their  capital  will 
naturally  present  itself  to  the  mind  of  the  reader.  We 
have  only  space  to  say  the  idea  was  of  miraculous 
origin,  the  result  of  a  priestly  superstition.* 

There  was  a  feeling  of  deep  respect  for  the  rights 
of  nations  maintained  among  the  Anahuacans,  and 
any  violation  of  them  engendered  a  general  hostility 
toward  the  violator. 

Sympathy  hardly  ever  led  a  tribe  to  take  sides  be- 
tween other  tribes  at  war.  Only  when  the  grievances 
were  common  did  they  unite  their  forces. 

The  Mexicans  were  decidedly  friendly  to  the  cause 
of  the  Tezcucans  in  their  war  with  the  Tepanecs,  and 
yet  stood  aloof  and  saw  them  humbled  in  the  very 
dust.  Their  sympathies  were  still  with  them  in  their 
degradation. 

In  consequence  of  this  friendly  feeling,  many  Tez- 
cucans were  to  be  found  in  their  capital  and  territory ; 
some  of  whom  had  withdrawn  from  Tezcuco  for  the 
betterment  of  their  condition ;  others  because  of  their 
hatred  for  the  nation  which  had  subverted  their  gov- 
ernment and  subjected  them  to  an  onerous  and  hateful 
vassalage. 


*  NOTE. — See  Ilale's  Mexico. 


132  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC, 

Old  warriors,  who  preferred  voluntary  exile  to  ser- 
vility ;  merchants  and  traders,  who  thought  to  find  a 
better  field  in  which  to  ply  their  vocations,  and  nobles, 
whose  titles,  since  the  death  of  their  king  and  the  sub- 
version of  his  government,  were  only  nominal,  were  to 
be  found  among  them — all  living  and  waiting  in  the 
hope  of  a  restoration  of  their  kingdom. 

The  determined  efforts  of  King  Maxtla  to  destroy 
Prince  Hualcoyotl  had  not  improved  the  former's  stand- 
ing in  the  Mexican  capital,  but,  on  the  other  hand,  had 
produced  just  the  opposite  effect.  The  Tezcucans  were 
outspoken  in  their  denunciation  of  him  and  his  govern- 
ment, and  nothing  was  said  or  done  to  check  them. 

Euetzin  had  discovered  this  antagonistic  feeling 
among  his  countrymen,  and  was  now  abroad  to  take 
advantage  of  it.  His  first  effective  work,  after  leaving 
home  the  second  time,  was  done  in  the  Mexican  capital, 
among  them. 

Situated  on  the  city's  market  place  was  an  expansive 
structure,  which  was  one  story  in  height — their  build- 
ings were  very  seldom  higher.  The  building  referred 
to  was  used  principally  as  a  store-house  for  unsold 
marketable  products,  and  was  divided  up  into  suitable 
apartments — rooms  and  booths.  In  one  of  the  rooms, 
fronting  on  the  tianguez,  was  a  cafe,  or  restaurant,  kept 
by  a  Tezcucan  A  part  of  the  room — the  back  por- 
tion— was  cut  off  from  the  front  by  means  of  a  curtain, 
for  the  convenience  of  parties  desiring  to  be  served 
privately.  There  was  a  door  opening  from  this  part 
of  the  room  into  a  hallway,  which  extended  back  the 
full  length  of  the  building.  Some  distance  back,  at  the 
side  of  this  hallway,  three  or  four  steps  were  situated, 
which  led  downward  to  a  very  short  hall,  from  which 


A    PRINCS    OK    AN  AH  U  AC.  133 

an  entrance  was  to  be  had  to  an  apartment  ir  which 
meetings,  often  of  a  secret  character,  were  held. 

It  was  night.  The  streets  and  squares  of  the  city 
were  almost  deserted.  At  this  hour  an  unusual  influx 
to  the  Tezcucan's  cafe  was  taking  place.  Men  were 
seen  to  pass  in,  at  brief  intervals,  and  disappear.  Pres- 
ently, two  young  men  entered,  and  one  of  them  address- 
ing the  proprietor,  said : 

"  We  are  seeking  friends." 

"  Where  from?  "  he  inquired. 

"  Tezcuco,"  was  the  brief  reply. 

"  The  way  is  clear;  pass  in." 

Nothing  further  was  said.  The  party  passed  back 
and  out  into  the  hallway,  along  which  they  went  to 
the  steps  previously  referred  to.  Here  they  paused  a 
moment,  in  a  listening  attitude.  Hearing  nothing  of 
a  disturbing  character,  they  descended.  A  few  steps 
brought  them  to  a  door,  before  which  they  stopped  and 
gave  one  rap.  The  following  response  was  elicited : 

"  What  seek  ye  ?" 

"  Our  own,"  replied  the  same  person  who  had  ad- 
dressed the  keeper  of  the  cafe.  t  The  door  was  opened, 
and  they  entered.  Passing  on  to  another  door,  two 
raps  were  given,  and  a  voice  from  within  inquired: 

"  What  have  you  to  offer  in  pledge?  " 

"That  which,  if  taken,  can  not  be  restored:  life," 
answered  one  of  the  seekers  for  admission. 

"It  is  a  royal  offering.  Enter."  The  door  was 
opened,  and  the  young  men  were  admitted.  For  a 
moment,  while  the  door  was  again  closed,  they  stood 
in  black  darkness  ;  then  a  curtain  was  drawn  to  one 
side,  discovering  to  them  a  low,  dingy,  dimly  lighted 
chamber.  Men,  old  and  young,  who  had  entered  in 


134  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

the  same  guarded  manner  as  they,  were  seated  about 
the  room.  The  newcomers  were  told  to  pass  in,  which 
they  did,  and  were  seated  like  those  who  had  preceded 
them. 

Perfect  silence  prevailed  while  the  chamber  was  fill- 
ing up.  Upon  each  man's  face  was  a  stern  and  deter- 
mined look.  Not  a  sign  of  recognition  passed  between 
them.  It  was  an  assembly  of  people  whose  taciturnity 
was  always  pronounced  under  circumstances  of  an  im- 
pressive character. 

When  the  proper  time  arrived,  a  man  of  middle  age 
and  commanding  presence  arose  and  addressed  the 
meeting.  He  was  evidently  a  prominent  Tezcucan. 
He  said : 

"  The  hour  has  come  when  the  ear  should  be  open 
to  catch  the  sound,  and  the  tongue  silent  that  it  may 
not  escape.  Euetzin,  son  of  the  noble  Euzelmozin,  is 
here.  He  bears  a  message  from  his  brother  Tezcucan." 
Turning  to  the  foremost  of  the  two  young  men  with 
whom  we  entered,  he  continued :  "  Let  Euetzin  speak. 
The  men  of  his  tribe  have  ears,  and  they  are  open." 

Euetzin  it  was,  sure  .enough,  who  now  arose  to  ad- 
dress the  assembly.  Amid  the  profoundest  silence,  he 
began,  using  a  metaphorical  expression,  speaking  in  a 
very  impressive  manner : 

"  The  lion  hath  made  his  spring,  but  the  prey  he 
sought  was  the  cunning  fox.-  The  fox  escaped,  and 
the  lion  is  full  of  wrath."  He  paused  a  moment,  and 
then  continued,  changing  his  manner  of  speech:  "Men 
of  Tezcucan  blood — you  who  love  and  revere  the 
memory  of  a  noble  though  fallen  king,  and  a  country 
once  proud  and  happy — give  ear.  I  am  here,"  he 
went  on,  "  to  arouse  you  from  the  lethargy  of  a  hope- 


A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHFAC.  135 

less  indifference,  and  to  assure  you,  as  I  believe,  that 
Tezcuco  may  yet  be  free.  Though  our  prince  is  a 
fugitive,  outlawed,  with  a  price  placed  upon  his  life  ; 
the  land  which  gave  us  birth  trodden  under  the  heel 
of  a  usurping  tyrant,  and  our  people  made  subject 
to  a  shameful  vassalage ;  yet  there  still  lives  in  the 
hearts  of  these  people  a  patriotic  love  of  country, 
which,  if  stirred,  will  break  asunder  the  shackles 
which  bind  them,  and  bid  defiance  to  the  authors 
of  their  degradation.''  The  tzin  spoke  with  re- 
markable force,  and  was  listened  to  with  the  pro- 
foundest  attention.  "  Are  we  men,  or  are  we  only 
slaves,"  he  vociferated,  "  that  we  shake  not  off  the 
spell  which  binds  us  hand  and  foot,  and  holds  the 
tongue  till  it  speaks  not  ?  Awake,  3re  men  of  Tezcuco, 
awake !  and  let  your  ears  be  open  ;  for  the  voice  of 
your  prince  cries  from  the  mountain  fastnesses  for 
help.  Shall  it  be  a  vain  cry,  or  shall  it  find  a  quick 
response  in  the  hearts  of  his  people  and  a  speedy  re- 
sistance to  his  despotic  persecutor  ?  If  you  are  true  to 
the  memory  of  our  good  king,  who  was  slain  for 
naught  but  conquest,  then  put  forth  a  hand  and  let  us 
raise  high  the  standard  he  loved :  the  standard  of  our 
own  Tezcuco,  and  pause  not  until  her  loyal  sons  every- 
where are  enrolled  under  it,  and  the  usurper  has  been 
driven  by  our  patriotic  legions  beyond  her  borders. 

"  He  who  will  join  me  in  the  glorious  work  of  re- 
deeming Tezcuco  from  dishonor  and  a  hated  vassalage 
rise,  and,  with  his  hand  over  his  heart,  repeat  after  me 
the  obligation  which  shall  pledge  us,  arm  and  life,  to 
the  cause  of  our  country  and  prince." 

Every  man  in  the  chamber  quickly  stood  up  and  was 
heard  to  repeat,  in  deep  and  solemn  tones,  the  follow- 
ing, to  them,  awful  obligation  : 


136  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

"  Tezcuco,  my  own  once  illustrious,  but  now  de- 
graded Tezcuco !  my  life,  and  all  I  have,  I  pledge  and 
obligate  to  thee  in  defense  of  thy  prince,  his  cause 
and  people !  I  swear  it,  and,  failing  in  my  duty,  may 
my  blood  run  red  on  the  altar  of  Huitzil,*  whose  aid 
I  now  invoke ! "  A  moment  of  impressive  silence 
followed,  and  the  men  resumed  their  seats.  Euetzin 
continued : 

"  In  this  hour,  life  and  motion  have  been  infused  into 
the  cause  of  Tezcuco,  which  many  have  looked  upon 
as  lost.  We  have  each,  by  our  obligation,  made  our- 
selves the  active  moving  element  in  its  sudden  re- 
suscitation. What  shall  be  the  outcome?  What  shall 
be  the  end  of  this  altogether  splendid  beginning  ?  Be 
this  our  unqualified  answer :  Tezcuco  shall  be  free  !  " 

The  assembly  was  thoroughly  aroused,  and  during  a 
moment's  pause  in  the  tzin's  speech  a  spontaneous  out- 
burst of  enthusiasm  took  place.  "Tezcuco  shall  be 
free ! "  was  the  reiterated  acclaim  which  resounded 
through  the  chamber.  When  quiet  was  restored  the 
tzin  went  on  : 

'•  And  now,  since  we  are  pledged,  let  us,  every  man, 
be  up  and  doing.  Let  no  loyal  Tezcucan  be  over- 
looked. Move  silently  and  quickly,  ceasing  not  the 
work  until  the  fire  of  patriotism,  which  has  been  en- 
kindled in  our  hearts  to-night,  shall  have  spread  to  the 
farthest  borders  of  Anahuac,  and  every  true  friend  of 
Tezcuco  has  espoused  her  cause,  and  enrolled  himself 
under  the  banner  of  Hualcoyotl  and  liberty.  Let  not 
your  ears  be  closed,  for  the  call  will  surely  come  which 
will  claim  the  fulfillment  of  your  obligation." 

When   the   young   conspirator   concluded  and  had 


*  NOTE. — The  Aztec  god  of  war. 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  137 

taken  his  seat,  an  old  warrior  rose  up  and  said  a  few 
encouraging  words.  He  spoke  as  follows : 

"  The  spirit  of  loyalty  and  devotion  evinced  by  our 
young  leader,  the  tzin,  for  his  unfortunate  country  and 
prince,  does  honor  to  Euzelmozin,  his  noble  father, 
who  was  my  friend.  Age  has  left  the  Matzatl  a  weak 
and  broken  sword.  His  day  of  fighting  is  past ;  yet 
the  Matzatl  would  live  to  see  his  country  rescued  from 
the  hand  of  the  spoiler.  Young  men,  hearken  to  the 
words  of  the  young  tzin  and  follow  his  counsel.  Matzatl 
has  faith  in  the  son  of  Euzelmozin,  and  is  assured  that 
he  will  lead  you  to  victory.  Our  brother,  whose  words 
first  greeted  us  to-night,  spoke  wisely  when  he  said : 
'  The  hour  has  come  when  the  ear  should  be  open  to 
catch  the  sound,  and  the  tongue  silent  that  it  may  not 
escape.'  See  to  it  that  ye  hear  the  sound  and  hold  it." 

Others,  including  Cacami,  addressed  the  assembly 
briefly,  urging  a  faithful  adherence  to  the  cause  which 
they  had  sworn  with  their  all  to  defend. 

At  a  suggestion  from  Euetzin  a  permanent  organiza- 
tion was  formed,  which  was  designated  a  council,  and 
an  experienced  warrior  chosen  to  officiate  as  its  chief. 
Thus  was  the  object  of  the  meeting  attained ;  the  first 
step  toward  the  organization  of  an  army  accomplished, 
and  the  hearts  of  those  present  inspired  with  confi- 
dence in  their  cause,  and  zeal  to  labor  for  its  promotion 
and  final  establishment. 

The  meeting  had  been  brought  about  through  the 
influence  of  the  tzin,  with  the  assistance  of  a  few  lead- 
ing spirits,  whose  special  duty  was  to  see  each  one 
personally  and  instruct  him  in  the  passwords,  that 
no  man  who  was  not  known  to  be  true  and  loyal 
might  gain  admission. 


138  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

The  men  quietly  dispersed  and  the  world  outside 
was  none  the  wiser  that  an  organization  was  begun, 
having  for  its  end  an  object  freighted  with  conse- 
quences, the  measure  of  which  was  not  comprehended 
by  the  originators  themselves. 

The  same  proceeding  was  enacted  in  every  city  and 
town  where  Tezcucans  were  found  in  sufficient  num- 
bers to  make  it  possible.  Not  only  were  Euetzin  and 
Cacami  engaged  in  it,  but  others  who  had  entered  the 
work  with  heart  and  soul  imbued  with  the  spirit  of 
resistance  and  a  life  pledged  to  the  accomplishment  of 
their  country's  liberation.  It  was  all  being  done  with 
such  quiet  stealth  that  no  move  or  sound  gave  evi- 
dence of  the  rapidly  spreading  conspiracy. 


A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC.  139 


.CHAPTER  XIV. 

HUNGER  was  pressing  hard  upon  the  fugitive 
prince  and  his  companion,  and  it  became  an 
absolute  necessity  for  one  of  them  to  venture  out  in 
search  of  food.  Hualcoyotl  took  it  upon  himself  to 
do  this. 

The  natives  were  adepts  in  the  practice  of  imitat- 
ing certain  birds  and  animals,  and  a  signal  of  this 
kind  was  agreed  upon,  to  be  used  in  emergencies. 

Before  setting  out  on  his  venture,  Hualcoyotl  en- 
joined upon  his  man  the  strictest  watchfulness,  and 
that  he  should  on  no  account  leave  his  retreat,  unless 
driven  from  it  by  threatened  danger ;  also  to  listen 
for  the  signal,  but  not  to  answer  until  it  had  been 
repeated. 

It  was  night,  and  black  darkness  enveloped  the 
mountain,  especially  within  the  dense  woody  growth 
which  covered  it.  The  prince  stole  noiselessly  forth 
from  his  hiding-place,  and  with  that  stealth  which  is 
characteristic  of  the  American  Indian,  passed  down 
the  mountain's  side,  and  out  onto  the  plain  below. 
Food  in  abundance  was  just  before  him,  but  to  un- 
dertake to  secure  it  would  be  at  the  risk  of  discovery, 
and,  possibly,  death.  The  maddening  pangs  of  hunger 
were  impelling  him  on  ;  and  in  his  starving  condition 
the  tempting  food,  which  was  almost  within  his  reach, 
outweighed  the  instinctive  sense  of  self-preservation. 


140  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

With  cat-like  tread  he  moved  away  from  the  moun- 
tain's base,  knowing  that,  at  any  moment,  he  might 
come  upon  a  camp  of  his  enemy.  In  his  weak  and 
nervous  condition  the  noise  made  in  the  rustling  of  a 
leaf,  or  by  the  breaking  of  a  twig,  was  magnified  a 
dozenfold  in  his  imagination. 

Though  desperation  was  leading  him  on,  the  prince 
did  not  for  an  instant  relax  his  vigilance. 

At  last  he  was  in  the  midst  of  plenty ;  fields  of 
corn  just  in  the  milk,  and  fruit,  on  shrub  and  tree, 
to  be  had  for  the  plucking.  Securing  a  quantity  of 
each,  he  started  to  return.  The  same  watchful  vigi- 
lance was  observed  returning  as  in  going  out.  He  was 
moving  cautiously  along,  with  his  senses  wide  awake, 
when  a  sound,  very  like  the  noise  of  some  one  moving 
near  him,  arrested  his  attention. 

"Pish!"  he  ejaculated,  after  listening  a  moment. 
"  'Twas  but  the  flapping  of  a  wing  by  some  night- 
bird." 

The  thought  had  scarcely  crossed  his  mind  when 
a  screech  most  dismal,  and  quite  close,  struck  upon 
his  sensitive  ear,  sending  a  chill  to  his  very  heart. 
Reduced  as  he  was  by  hunger,  with  nerves  up-strung 
to  their  utmost  tension,  the  shock  was  very  severe, 
and  he  felt,  for  an  instant,  as  if  he  would  sink  to  the 
earth. 

"  What  a  woman  I  have  become !  "  he  muttered, 
chidingly,  to  himself.  "  This  will  not  do.  To  allow 
the  scream  of  a  bird  to  affect  me  thus  is  cowardice.'' 

Bracing  himself  against  further  weakness,  he  re- 
sumed his  cautious  movement  toward  the  foot  of  the 
mountain.  When  he  reached  it,  he  attempted  to  as- 
cend, but  now,  that  he  was  in  a  measure  safe,  the 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  141 

nervous  rigor  and  force  of  will,  which  had  sustained 
him,  relaxed,  and  he  was  compelled  to  sit  down  until 
his  exhausted  powers  were  restored. 

While  he  lingered  thus,  his  thoughts  reverted  to 
his  palace  home ;  to  old  Itzalmo,  his  faithful  friend 
and  counselor ;  to  Euetzin,  his  companion  and  confi- 
dante, and  to  Zelmonco  villa,  the  home  of  Itlza. 
Thoughts  of  her  awakened  a  pleasurable  thrill  in  his 
soul,  and  his  features  softened  under  the  touch  of  a 
sentiment  which,  if  not  love,  was  something  very 
nearly  akin  to  it.  To  himself  he  said : 

"Am  I.  indeed,  in  love  with  my  friend's  sweet  sis- 
ter ?  Yes,  it  must  be  so ;  for  I  feel  that  I  could  sac- 
rifice the  man  who  would  dare  to  come  between  us !  " 

When  he  felt  himself  sufficiently  recovered  to  as- 
cend the  mountain,  he  arose  and  proceeded  slowly 
up  its  side,  and  on  toward  his  retreat.  As  he  ap- 
proached his  hiding-place  he  became  more  wary. 
What  if,  in  his  absence,  his  retreat  had  been  dis- 
covered by  his  enemy  ?  The  thought  impressed  it- 
self upon  him  so  forcibly  that  he  paused  frequently 
to  listen  for  unusual  sounds ;  but  nothing  reached 
his  ear  save  the  low  and  familiar  murmur  of  the  night 
winds,  lulling,  with  their  monotonical  song,  nature's 
wearied  hosts  to  rest. 

When  near  enough  to  give  it,  he  sounded  the  sig- 
nal, so  like  the  real  that  the  shrewdest  woodsman 
might  have  been  deceived.  Again  it  pierced  the 
silent  woods,  and  quickly  came  back  the  echo  in 
Oza's  answer. 

Hualcoyotl,  now  relieved  of  his  apprehensions,  went 
boldly  forward,  and  was  gladly  welcomed  back  by  his 
anxious  attendant. 


142  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

They  could  not  risk  a  fire  in  the  nighttime,  and 
were  compelled  to  make  a  supper  on  uncooked  maize 
and  fruit.  Very  soon  sleep,  "  Nature's  sweet  re- 
storer," claimed  her  own,  and  they  were  lost  to  the 
dangers  about  them. 

The  next  morning,  before  the  sun  was  up,  a  fire 
was  built,  and  a  breakfast  of  roasted  maize  duly  pre- 
pared. They  had  no  salt  with  which  to  season  it, 
but  that  was  of  little  consequence  to  them  ;  hunger 
furnished  the  added  relish,  and  gave  it  a  flavor  that 
all  the  condiments  required  by  necessity  and  art,  for 
man's  gratification  and  need,  could  not  have  given. 
It  was  a  delicious  feast  to  the  half-starved  fugitives, 
and  was  repeated  several  times  during  the  day. 

The  first  venture  of  the  prince  having  proved  suc- 
cessful, others  followed  as  often  as  circumstances  re- 
quired it.  With  each  recurring  trip  he  became  more 
bold,  and  less  vigilant,  and  finally  it  was  decided  to 
make  a  .daylight  venture.  The  first  was  successful, 
but  the  second  proved  unfortunate,  and  the  last.  On 
this  occasion  he  got  too  far  away  from  the  base  of 
the  mountain,  and,  in  returning,  was  intercepted  by  a 
party  of  Tepanec  troops.  They  were  discovered  to 
each  other  about  the  same  time.  The  soldiers,  to  be 
sure  of  their  man,  sent  up  a  savage  yell,  which  had 
the  desired  effect,  for  the  prince  immediately  started 
to  run  for  his  life,  making  his  identity  quite  certain, 
and  a  chase  began  at  once. 

Hualcoyotl  was  fleet  of  foot,  and  had  recovered,  in 
the  past  few  days,  much  of  his  former  vigor.  He 
gained  rapidly  on  his  pursuers,  which  gave  him  an 
opportunity  to  change  his  course.  The  deflection  he 
made  took  him  out  of  sight  of  the  soldiers,  but  their 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  143 

continued  yells  indicated  a  hot  and  determined  pur- 
suit. 

He  was  becoming  hopeful  of  his  ability  to  evade 
them,  if  he  could  only  hold  out.  The  gaining  confi- 
dence within  him  added  strength  to  his  limbs.  On, 
on,  he  almost  flew ;  and,  as  he  ran,  the  yells  of  his 
pursuers  impelled  him  forward  in  his  flight. 

The  course  the  fugitive  was  now  pursuing  was 
nearly  in  the  direction  of  the  mountain,  and  he  was 
speeding  along  on  the  wings  of  hope,  when,  as  he 
dashed  into  a  narrow  vale,  he  came  suddenly  upon  an- 
other party  of  soldiers.  He  was  right  in  their  midst 
before  he  was  aware  of  their  presence.  "  The  gods 
defend  me  now!  "  was  the  prayerful  ejaculation  which 
escaped  him  as  he  took  in  the  situation. 

The  moment  the  prince  came  into  their  midst  the 
soldiers  surmised  who  he  was,  and,  closing  around 
him,  seized  and  laid  him  on  the  ground.  A  large 
drum,  which  they  had  with  them,  was  then  brought 
forward  and  placed  over  him.  When  this  was  done, 
they  began  to  sing  and  dance  around  it. 

When  the  pursuers  of  the  prince  came  in  sight  of 
the  party  of  soldiers  who  were  dancing  around  the 
drum  under  which  he  was  lying,  they  suddenly  stopped 
and  viewed  the  scene  with  an  air  of  bewilderment,  as  if 
uncertain  what  to  do.  The  pause  was  of  short  duration, 
however ;  for,  with  a  yell  of  disappointment  and  rage 
at  the  disappearance  of  the  prince,  they  changed  their 
course  so  as  to  pass  the  dancing  party,  and  were  soon 
out  of  sight  and  hearing. 

Hualcoyotl's  wonder  and  astonishment  were  great 
when  his  captors  began  to  sing  and  dance  around  the 
drum.  The  song  did  not  indicate  a  spirit  of  hostility, 


144  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

but,  on  the  other  hand,  friendliness.  What  did  it 
mean?  Could  it  possibly  be  that  he  was  not  in  the 
hands  of  an  enemy?  These  queries  passed  quickly 
through  his  mind. 

The  mystery  was  very  soon  cleared  away.  When 
his  pursuers  had  disappeared,  his  captors  lifted  the 
drum  from  over  him  and  assisted  him  to  rise.  He  was 
free ;  no  hand  was  upon  him,  and  the  faces  about  him 
were  wreathed  in  smiles  of  satisfaction,  while  he  was 
told  that  he  was  among  friends.  His  astonishment, 
and  the  joy  he  experienced  because  of  his  deliverance, 
were  very  great.  His  captors  were  men  of  Tlacopan, 
a  friendly  nation,  whose  singular  conduct  was  ex- 
plained when  they  informed  him  that  on  his  appear- 
ance in  their  midst  they  guessed  who  he  was,  and  that 
his  pursuers  were  emissaries  of  Maxtla.  There  was 
no  time  to  lose  in  explanations,  then,  if  they  would 
save  him  ;  so  he  was  quickly  seized  and  placed  under 
the  drum  as  a  means  of  concealment. 

Hualcoyotl  expressed  his  gratitude  in  words  of  no 
uncertain  meaning,  and  commended  the  soldiers  for 
their  ready  shrewdness  in  devising  and  executing  the 
plan  to  save  him. 

He  remained  with  them  until  night,  when  he  was 
escorted  by  them  to  within  a  short  distance  of  his  re- 
treat, where  they  left  him  with  a  feeling  of  personal 
friendliness,  and  also  one  of  satisfaction  at  having 
done  a  kind  act  in  the  service  of  a  good  man. 

Oza  was  overjoyed  at  his  master's  safe  return,  for  he 
had  given  him  up  as  lost  or  captured. 

After  explaining  the  cause  of  his  protracted  ab- 
sence, the  prince  said : 

"And  now,  Oza,  we  must  leave  this  place  at  once, 


A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC.  145 

and  get  as  far  from  it  as  possible  before  daylight  to- 
morrow morning.  My  pursuers  will  scour  these  rocks 
and  hills  in  every  direction  without  delay  in  search  of 
me.  If  we  would  escape  them,  we  must  lose  no  time 
in  getting  away." 

The  prince  took  his  bearings,  and  they  started.  It 
began  to  rain,  and  the  night  grew  wet  and  dark.  They 
suffered  much  from  the  inclement  weather,  and  the 
hurts  and  bruises  which  they  got  in  their  efforts  to 
cross  the  mountain.  All  night  through  they  dragged 
themselves  wearily  on,  over  the  rough  and  rocky 
ground.  When  day  dawned  they  knew  not  where 
they  were,  nor  did  they  care,  so  they  were  beyond 
pursuit. 

The  first  thing  to  be  done  after  daylight  was  to  find 
a  suitable  place,  safe  and  comfortable,  in  which  to  fix  a 
temporary  habitation. 

In  a  small,  narrow  ravine  among  the  rocks  a  spot 
was  found  which  promised  protection  from  the  sun 
and  rain  by  adding  a  covering  of  boughs  and  leaves, 
which  was  speedily  accomplished.  After  partaking 
of  a  light  breakfast  of  maize  and  fruit,  the  last  they 
had  excepting  a  few  ears  of  the  former,  they  disposed 
themselves  to  rest ;  and  being  greatly  worn  and  fa- 
tigued from  the  laborious  tramp  of  the  night,  soon 
found  oblivion  in  sleep. 


146  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER   XV. 

«  <  HP  HAT  was  a  good  shot,  Mit !     Your  old  father 

1      couldn't  have  done  it  better."    Such  was  the 

comment  made  by  Tezcot,  the  hunter,  on  the  result 

of  a  well  directed  arrow  from  a  bow  in  the  hands  of 

Mitla,  the  "Mountain  Princess." 

They  were  out  on  the  mountain,  hunting.  Tezcot 
often  went  on  short  excursions  of  the  kind  to  please 
Mitla,  and  it  gave  him  genuine  pleasure  to  do  so. 
Being  very  kindly  disposed,  as  he  was,  it  afforded  him 
much  gratification  to  make  others  happy,  especially 
his  children. 

"  He's  a  fine  specimen  of  his  kind,"  he  continued, 
holding  the  bird  up  before  him,  "  and  will  increase 
your  stock  of  plumage,  and,  as  well,  add  another 
feather  to  your  archer's  cap." 

The  prize  was  a  most  beautiful  pheasant ;  and  for  a 
moment  Mitla's  eyes  were  bright  with  excitement,  but 
as  she  gazed  upon  the  lovely  bird,  lying  dead  and 
bleeding  at  her  feet,  where  her  father  had  carelessly 
thrown  it,  the  woman's  heart  within  her  was  touched 
with  feelings  of  compunction,  and  she  said : 

"  Father,  is  it  well  to  kill  such  beautiful  birds?  My 
heart  is  sad  because  I  have  done  this." 

"  It's  all  the  same,  child,  whether  the  bird  is  beauti- 
ful or  ugly ;  the  one  suffers  equally  with  the  other, 
when  it  comes  to  that,"  philosophized  he.  "  Hello, 
Menke!  Is  that  you?"  he  continued,  addressing  a 
hunter,  who  just  then  came  up  to  where  they  were. 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  147 

"Wull,  yes,  it's  me,  ef  I  know  myself;  an'  think  I 
should,  for  some  folks  do  say  that  Menke  an'  me  are 
right  sociable,"  jestingly  replied  the  newcomer,  a  well 
known  mountaineer  hunter,  who  was  much  addicted 
to  talking  to  himself,  to  which  addiction  his  remark 
referred. 

"  That  ye  are,  Menke,  we  all  know,"  answered  Tez- 
cot,  appreciating  the  hunter's  reference  to  his  peculiar 
habit,  "  but  it  doesn't  make  ye  any  less  friendly  toward 
the  rest  of  us." 

"Wull,  no;  Menke's  about  the  same  all  over,"  re- 
turned he,  and,  suddenly  changing  the  subject,  con- 
tinued :  "  Goin'  far  up  the  mountain,  Tez?  " 

"  Not  far.  We're  only  out  for  a  short  hunt  this 
morning.  Mit,  there,  enjoys  a  trip  to  the  mountains 
occasionally." 

"  Good  mornin',  Princess,"  he  said  to  Mitla.  "  Had 
any  luck,  eh?" 

"  Yes,  I  have  one  beautiful  bird,  a  pheasant.  See !  Is 
it  not  a  pretty  one?  "  she  replied,  showing  him  the  prize. 

"  Nice  bird,  Princess.     Shot  it  yerself,  eh?  " 

"  Certainly,  but  wish  I  had  not;  it  is  such  a  lovely 
bird,"  she  returned,  looking  sorrowfully  at  it. 

"  That's  the  woman  of  ye,  Princess.  Women^  don't 
make  good  hunters;  they're  too  squeamish,"  he  ob- 
served, rather  contemptuously. 

"You,  no  doubt,  speak  truly,  Menke;  but  it  is  our 
nature,  and  we  can  not  help  it,"  she  replied,  her  eyes 
fixed  on  the  bird  with  an  expression  of  sadness. 

Menke  turned  to  Tezcot,  and  said  : 

"  Say.  Tez,  wish  ye'd  jine  me  in  a  trip  across  the 
mountain  to-day.  Can't  do  it,  eh?  " 

"  Not  to-day,  Menke ;  it  would  spoil  Mit's  sport. 
Some  other  day  I'll  go  with  you." 


148  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

"All  right,  Tez ;  ye  know  yer  own  business.  The 
mornin's  goin'  right  fast,  an'  I'll  have  to  be  goin'  with 
it,  ef  I'd  get  ronn'  'fore  night.  Good  mornin',  Prin- 
cess." 

"Good  morning,  and  success  attend  you,  Menke," 
she  returned. 

With  a  parting  word  to  his  friend  Tezcot  the  hunter 
left  them,  moving  rapidly  up  the  mountain,  and  was 
soon  lost  to  view  among  the  timber. 

Tezcot  and  Mitla,  at  a  later  hour,  awoke  to  the  fact 
that  they  were  farther  from  home  than  they  had  in- 
tended to  go  at  starting  out.  They  were  more  than  a 
league  and  a  half  away,  and  the  hunter  thought  it 
time  to  call  a  halt.  Their  hunt  had  proven  fairly  suc- 
cessful, quite  a  bunch  of  game  having  been  secured, 
rendering  the  excursion  very  satisfactory. 

"  Father,"  said  Mitla,  when  a  return  had  been  de- 
cided on,  "  let  us  visit  the  hermit's  cave,  on  our  way, 
going  home.  I  have  not  been  there  for  a  long  time." 

"  If  a  visit  to  the  hermit  would  please  ye,  Mit,  we'll 
go  that  way." 

"  Thank  you,  father ;  it  would,  indeed,  please  me 
very  much  to  visit  the  hermitage  again." 

So  ;t  was  settled  the  hermitage  should  receive  a 
visit  from  them. 

The  hermit's  cave  was  the  abode  of  a  recluse,  whose 
identity  and  previous  life  were  a  profound  mystery. 
By  accompanying  the  hunter  and  Mitla  to  it,  we  will 
at  least  get  an  insight  into  the  character  of  the  man. 

About  a  league  from  Tezcot's  house  was  a  long,  nar- 
row, and  dark  ravine.  It  was  fully  a  half  mile  in  length, 
and  was  inwalled  on  either  side  by  steep  elevations. 
Its  gloomy  wildness  was  seemingly  filled  with  an  awe- 
inspiring  presence,  and  only  a  few  of  the  denizens  of 


A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHl  AC.  149 

the  mountainous  range  would  venture  into  it.  Stories 
were  told  of  strange  sights  and  sounds  haunting  its 
lonely  recesses,  which  readily  found  credence  in  the 
minds  of  the  more  superstitious  of  them. 

Tezcot,  and  a  few  other  fearless  hunters  of  the  local- 
ity, took  the  stories  for  what  they  were — creations  of 
fancy  or  design,  and  occasionally  explored  the  place  in 
quest  of  game. 

Since  the  advent  of  the  hermit  on  the  mountain, 
which  took  place  some  years  prior  to  the  incidents 
narrated  here,  these  bolder  mountaineers  might  have 
been  seen  at  intervals  cautiously  invading  its  solitudes, 
going,  in  most  cases,  to  the  hermitage  to  visit  its 
strange  occupant. 

The  ravine  was  situated  east  and  west,  and  those 
who  were  familiar  with  its  dark  depths  found  it  most 
easily  entered  from  the  eastern  terminus. 

When  Tezcot  and  Mitla  arrived  there,  they  went  in 
without  hesitation.  They  found  the  ground  rough, 
and  frequently  quite  sloping,  yet  made  good  progress 
over  it. 

After  going  some  distance  into  the  ravine,  they 
turned  toward  the  south,  and  began  the  ascent  of  the 
steep  acclivity  in  that  direction,  along  a  natural  depres- 
sion in  its  side. 

Going  well  up  out  of  the  ravine  they  made  a  turn 
to  the  west,  and  went  around  the  side  of  a  mountain 
until  they  came  to  a  dense  growth  of  underbrush, 
which  had  the  appearance,  in  its  denseness,  of  being 
impenetrable.  Tezcot,  however,  knew  the  ground  well, 
and  quickly  found  a  place  that  would  admit  of  their 
passing  through.  When  they  came  out  on  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  thicket,  it  was  to  find  themselves  on 
a  kind  of  shelf  in  the  side  of  the  mountain,  at  the 


150  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

back  of  which  rose  an  almost  perpendicular  wall  of 
rock.  Following  this  rocky  wall  for  a  short  distance 
back,  they  came  to  a  great  recess  in  its  face,  which 
had  the  appearance  of  a  natural  vestibule.  In  the 
rear  of  this  recess  was  an  opening,  which  proved  to 
be  the  entrance  to  a  cavern.  Tezcot  went  familiarly 
forward,  passing  through  the  aperture  into  a  tunnel- 
shaped  cave,  which  appeared  as  running  far  back  into 
the  mountain.  The  interior  was  only  dimly  lighted 
from  the  entrance ;  yet  the  semi-darkness  did  not  seem 
to  impede  the  hunter's  movement,  for  he  went  con- 
fidently in,  until  he  came  to  an  opening  in  the  side  of 
the  tunnel,  before  which  he  stopped,  and  gave  a  pe- 
culiar signal. 

In  response  to  the  signal  there  presently  appeared 
before  the  visitors  the  form  of  a  man  dimly  outlined 
in  the  faint  light  of  the  cavern.  In  a  voice  which 
was  deep  and  solemn,  he  inquired : 

"  Who  would  break  in  on  the  solitude  of  Ix,  the 
anchorite  ?  " 

"  Tezcot,  the  anchorite's  friend,  and  Mitla,  his  child, 
who  have  come  to  pay  their  respects  to  him,  and  hear 
again  the  words  of  wisdom  which  his  lips  are  wont  to 
speak,"  replied  the  hunter,  respectfully. 

"  Tezcot  and  his  are  ever  welcome  in  the  home  of 
Ix,  the  hermit.  Enter,  and  find  rest." 

Tezcot  laid  aside  his  hunter's  outfit,  and,  followed 
by  Mitla,  passed  into  the  recluse's  lonely  abode. 

The  cell,  or  room,  occupied  by  the  hermit  as  a  habi- 
tation, was  a  natural  cavity  in  the  side  of  the  main 
cavern,  situated,  as  we  have  seen,  some  distance  back 
from  the  entrance.  It  was  square  shaped,  and  an- 
swered well  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  used. 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  151 

A  burning  taper  shed  a  dim  and  sickly  glimmer 
over  the  room,  giving  barely  light  enough  to  reveal 
its  contents.  At  one  side  of  the  appartment  was  a 
couch,  made  up  of  animals'  skins,  and  opposite  to  it  a 
rough  table,  on  which  was  placed  a  burning  taper. 

Such  was  the  scanty  furnishment  of  the  hermit's 
cell,  except  the  necessary  arms  of  a  hunter,  with 
which  he  was  supplied,  and  which  were  lying  and 
hanging  about  the  room. 

Good  friends,  like  Tezcot,  would  often  give  the  re- 
cluse sufficient  provisions  to  last  for  days,  yet  he 
would  sometimes  venture  out  on  the  mountain,  when 
no  eye  was  near  to  watch  him,  in  quest  of  game, 
which  he  seldom  failed  to  secure,  for  he  handled  his 
weapons  with  efficiency. 

His  food  was  prepared  in  the  main  cavern,  leaving 
his  cell  free  from  that  inconvenience. 

A  question  frequently  asked,  but  never  answered, 
was  :  "  Who  is  he,  this  Ix,  the  hermit  ?  "  He  was  in 
truth,  and  to  all,  a  man  of  mystery. 

The  more  ignorant  of  the  mountaineers — those  who 
believed  the  ravine  haunted — thought  the  mysterious 
individual  superhuman  in  character,  and  shunned  the 
locality  as  an  abode  of  spirits.  Ix  encouraged  this 
feeling  and  belief  among  them,  so  far  as  he  could, 
though  always  very  grateful  to  the  few  who  were 
above  such  notions,  and  who  were  ever  welcome  vis- 
itors to  his  cavern  home. 

The  hermit  could  afford  no  better  accommodations 
than  skins  thrown  on  the  ground,  as  a  protection,  to 
sit  on,  and  his  visitors  were  seated  in  this  manner. 
When  they  were  comfortably  settled,  the  anchorite 
said  : 

"  How  is  it  with  my  wise  friend — thyself,  O  Tezcot, 


152  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

aiid  thosz  who  share  with  thee  the  bounteous  favors 
which  bless  thy  mountain  home?" 

"  It  is  well  with  us.  And  thou,  O  friend,  hath  good 
or  evil  come  to  make  or  mar  thy  peace,  of  late?  " 
replied  the  hunter  inquiringly. 

"  My  lonely  life  is  seldom  interrupted.  Its  simplic- 
ity could  only  lead  to  peace  if  the  mind  were  less  ac- 
tive. But  who  can  say,  O,  mind,  be  still,  and  trouble 
not  thyself  with  what  is  past,  or  what  may  come?" 

The  hermit's  words  showed  that  he  was  not  in  his 
usual  temper  of  mind.  They  indicated  that  his  medi- 
tations sometimes  disturbed  him.  On  no  previous 
occasion  had  Tezcot  heard  him  intimate  that  disquiet- 
ing recollections  were  ever  present  to  interrupt  the 
peacefulness  of  his  lonely  life.  And  yet,  why  not? 
The  man  had  not  always  been  a  hermit.  The  sur- 
prise to  Tezcot  was  in  the  yielding  of  his  habitual 
restraint  upon  his  speech,  so  far  as  to  give  utterance 
to  such  a  thought.  He  did  not  immediately  respond 
to  the  hermit,  and,  after  a  moment's  pause,  the  latter 
continued  : 

"  You  have  come  from  the  world  of  light,  O  Tezcot, 
and  know  much  that  is  dark  to  Ix.  If  it  please  you, 
will  you  tell  me  something  of  what  is  passing  there  ? 
How  fares  it  with  the  people  in  the  valley  ?  " 

"  Why  should  Ix,  the  hermit,  who  has  gone  from 
the  world  to  find  seclusion  in  a  mountain  fastness, 
seek  knowledge  concerning  the  people  and  of  what  is 
passing  beyond  ?  Does  the  anchorite  tire  of  his  lonely 
mountain  cell,  and  long  for  a  place  among  them,  that 
he  turns  from  his  solitude  to  inquire  after  the  peo- 
ple's welfare?" 

"  Tezcot  is  wise,  but  he  reads  only  from  that  which 
his  eyes  behold.  There  are  sealed  records  from  which 


A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC.  153 

even  he  can  not  read.  Ix  is  one  of  these  to  all  the 
world,  yet  not  without  his  sorrows.  Memory  is  not 
less  bright  because  of  the  darkness  which  hides  ex- 
ternal things,"  rejoined  the  hermit,  with  deep  pathos 
in  his  voice. 

"  Tezcot  is  rebuked,"  returned  he,  regretfully.  "  The 
wisdom  of  Ix  is  greater  than  his.  The  hermit's  de- 
sire to  learn  something  of  what  is  passing  among  the 
people  in  the  valley  shall  be  gratified.  There  is  peace 
on  the  beautiful  Anahuac,  and  the  people  appear  to 
be  happy  ;  still,  there  is  unrest  and  repining  beneath 
it  all.  The  signs  bespeak  a  coming  storm — not  of 
the  heavens,  which  we  wot  of  when  the  sky  is  over- 
cast and  chains  of  fire  flash  across  it — nor  yet  when 
the  waters  descend  and  the  thunder's  deep  and  awful 
voice  is  heard.  No,  it  is  not  a  storm  like  that,  but 
one  in  which  the  passions  of  men  shall  sway  them 
as  the  tempest  sways  the  mighty  tree ;  a  storm  in 
which  blood  shall  flow  and  once  more  stain  and  soil 
the  beautiful  face  of  Anahuac ;  and  sorrow  shall  find 
place  in  the  hearts  of  many  people,  and  lamentation 
shall  ascend." 

The  voice  of  the  hunter  was  like  one  inspired.  The 
hermit  felt  it,  and  replied : 

"  The  language  of  Tezcot  is  the  language  of  a  prophet. 
Whose  hand  is  in  the  strifeful  storm  of  which  he 
foretells  ? " 

"  The  hand  of  Maxtla,  king  at  the  royal  city  of  Azca- 
pozalco,  is  in  it,"  answered  the  hunter. 

At  the  mention  of  Maxtla's  name,  an  expression  of 
fierceness  came  over  the  hermit's  face,  but  the  taper's 
dim  light  did  not  reveal  it.  He  inquired,  in  a  voice  in 
which  there  was  evident  displeasure,  causing  the  hun- 
ter to  give  him  a  closer  look : 


154  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

"  Where  is  the  old  destroyer  of  Tezcucan  liberty, 
Tezozomoc,  that  Maxtla  is  king  at  Azcapozalco?  " 

"  The  old  king  is  dead,"  replied  Tezcot. 

"•The  world  is  none  the  worse  for  that,  I'm  sure," 
returned  the  hermit,  showing  unmistakable  enmity. 

"It  is  surely  not  any  better  since  Maxtla  is  king," 
answered  the  hunter,  observing  with  interest  the  her 
mit's  relaxing  reserve. 

"What  would  he — this  Maxtla  of  Azcapozalco?  ' 
inquired  Ix. 

"  It  is  known  that  he  would  destroy  the  Prince  of 
Tezcuco,  because  of  jealousy  and  hatred."  A  gleam  of 
intelligence  might  have  been  seen  to  light  up  the  an- 
chorite's countenance  on  hearing  these  words,  but  it 
was  not  observed  by  the  hunter,  who  continued  :  "  The 
prince  is  a  fugitive,  hunted  as  a  fox  by  the  vassals  of 
the  king." 

The  hermit  was  silent  and  thoughtful  for  a  moment, 
and  then  asked : 

"  Whence  come  the  signs  which  speak  to  Tezcot  of 
an  approaching  conflict?  " 

"If  Ix  would  read  the  signs  himself,  let  him  go  into 
the  valley  where  dwell  the  Tezcucans — the  oppressed 
people  of  the  fugitive  prince.  The  deadly  serpent  lies 
motionless  in  our  path,  but  should  our  foot  perchance 
fall  upon  it,  our  destruction  would  follow  swift  and 
sure ;  though  not  more  surely  than  retribution  on  the 
man  who  tramples  human  rights  beneath  his  heel," 
replied  the  hunter,  impressively. 

"  The  words  of  my  wise  friend  are  full  of  meaning. 
They  come  to  Ix  like  a  message  from  the  world.  He 
will  treasure  them  up  and  give  them  thought,  for  they 
are  portentous.  Things  of  which  the  wise  hunter 


A   PRINCE   OP   ANAHUAC.  155 

hath  no  knowledge  press  heavily  upon  Ix's  mind.  His 
heart  is  sad  because  of  the  wickedness  of  men,"  returned 
the  hermit,  in  gloomy  accents. 

Tezcot  was  acquainted  with  some  of  the  hermit's 
peculiar  moods,  and  felt,  from  his  manner,  that  a  longer 
stay  would  be  neither  pleasant  nor  profitable ;  so,  after 
a  brief  silence,  he  arose  and  said  they  would  depart, 
inasmuch  as  their  absence  from  home  had  been  pro- 
longed in  order  to  make  the  hermitage  a  visit. 

The  hermit  expressed  his  gratification  for  the  visit, 
and  said  further : 

"  My  friend  has  brought  much  food  for  thought,  for 
which  I  am  grateful.  Do  not  forget,  O  Tezcot,  that 
you  and  yours  are  ever  welcome  in  the  home  of  the 
hermit.  Tarry  not  away  ;  for  Ix  would  hear  more  of 
the  signs  of  the  hour  and  what  they  portend." 

"  When  the  signs  speak  more  clearly  I  will  come 
again,  that  Ix  may  have  knowledge  of  their  import," 
returned  the  hunter,  turning  to  leave  the  hermit's  cell. 

They  passed  into  the  main  cavern,  where  a  liberal 
division  of  the  game  was  made,  of  which  the  hermit 
received  a  goodly  portion.  It  was  accepted  with  ex- 
pressions of  gratitude  ;  and,  after  the  customary  salu- 
tations, the  visitors  took  their  departure,  leaving  the 
recluse  to  his  solitude  and  lonely  cogitations,  the  nature 
of  which  could  only  be  surmised. 

The  hunter  went  from  the  hermitage  with  conflict- 
ing thoughts.  He  had  talked  with  the  hermit  many 
times,  but  had  never  before  looked  so  far  into  his  char- 
acter. He  was  nearer  the  solution  of  the  oft  repeated, 
but  still  unanswered  question,  "  Who  is  he?  "  than  at 
any  previous  time ;  and  yet  his  theories  were  vague 
and  unsatisfactory.  He  determined  to  know  more  of 
the  mail  of  mystery,  and  resolved  to  see  him  frequently. 


156  A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE  day  was  one  of  brightness  and  warmth  on  the 
mountain  where  we  left  Hualcoyotl  and  his  at- 
tendant. The  storm  of  the  previous  night  had  entirely 
disappeared  before  the  refulgent  rays  of  the  morningsun. 
Hours  came  and  passed,  and  the  day  was  three-fourths 
gone ;  yet,  fairly  well  protected  in  their  new  quarters, 
the  prince  and  Oza  slept  on  in  an  unbroken  slumber, 
so  worn  were  they  from  the  almost  superhuman  efforts 
of  the  night  before.  The  sleep  of  exhaustion  was  upon 
them,  and  the  ordinary  noises  of  the  mountain  wilds 
with  which  they  were  surrounded  were  without  effect 
to  disturb  them.  Now  and  then  a  bird  would  alight 
quite  near  and  shie  its  bright  eye  at  the  sleepers,  then 
hurry  away.  Animals  frisked  unconcerned  about 
them,  and  the  pestiferous  insect  filled  the  air  with  its 
ceaseless  and  annoying  hum  ;  still  the  tired  fugitives 
continued  profoundly  unconscious  of  it  all. 

Such  was  the  situation  of  the  sleepers  about  the 
middle  of  the  afternoon,  when  a  piercing  scream,  like 
the  cry  of  a  person  in  extreme  distress  or  peril,  only 
much  louder  and  inexpressibly  awful,  awakened  the 
slumberers  to  a  sudden  impression  of  impending 
danger.  The  prince  quickly  raised  himself  to  a  listen- 
ing posture,  and  exclaimed : 

"  What  means  that  cry  ?  " 

"  Hist,  master  ;  look  there!     What  is  that?"  spoke 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  157 

Oza,  in  an  excited  whisper,  at  the  same  time  pointing 
to  an  object  just  above  and  in  front  of  them. 

The  prince  looked  in  the  direction  indicated  by  his 
attendant,  and  there,  not  twenty  feet  away,  beheld, 
crouched  on  an  overhanging  limb,  a  ferocious  looking 
beast,  with  eyes  which  shone  like  balls  of  fire  fixed 
menacingly  upon  them.  The  animal's  lips  were  parted, 
showing  its  great  ugly  teeth,  which  caused  a  savage 
grin  to  overspread  its  fierce  and  threatening  visage. 
Its  tail,  cat-like  and  menacing,  was  moving  slowly  to 
and  fro ;  and,  altogether,  the  monster's  appearance  was 
anything  but  reassuring  to  contemplate.  The  situation 
was,  indeed,  alarming. 

The  position  of  the  animal  was  such  that,  to  get 
away,  the  prince  and  Oza  would  have  been  compelled 
to  pass  almost  under  it.  To  have  done  this  would  have 
been  to  invite  an  immediate  attack,  which  they  could 
not  afford  to  do  in  their  defenseless  condition. 

Hualcoyotl  recalled  having  heard  some  time  in  his 
life  that  such  animals  would  not  attack  a  person  whose 
eyes  were  kept  fixed  upon  them.  The  thought  sug- 
gested the  idea  that  the  beast  might  be  kept  at  bay  in 
this  manner  until,  tiring,  it  would  leave  of  its  own 
accord.  The  plan  was  immediately  put  into  execution, 
and  a  peculiar  contest  began. 

The  fiercely  grinning  beast  gave  stare  for  stare,  and 
never  once  turned  its  eyes  away.  For  a  full  half  hour, 
which  seemed  an  age  to  the  prince,  the  battle  of  the 
eyes  went  on,  and  still  there  was  no  letting  up  in  the 
belligerent  attitude  of  his  fierce  looking  adversary. 

Thus  matters  stood  when  there  came  a  sudden  thud- 
like  sound,  followed  by  a  terrible  howl  from  the 
animal,  which  leaped  from  its  position  into  the  ravine, 


158  A    PKINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

falling    dead    almost   at   the   feet  of  the    imprisoned 
fugitives. 

The  long,  uninterrupted  stare  into  the  eyes  of  the 
snarling  beast  had  proven  to  be  a  very  trying  ordeal 
to  Hualcoyotl ;  and  when  it  sprang  so  suddenly  into 
the  ravine  as  if  to  attack  them,  he  was  almost  pros 
trated  from  the  shock  given  his  tensified  sensibilities. 
He  quickly  recovered  when  he  saw  that  deliverance, 
from  an  unknown  and  unexpected  source,  had  come 
to  them  through  the  death  of  the  animal.  Directly  a 
voice,  apparently  just  above  them,  was  heard  to  say  : 

"  Menke,  ye  couldn't  have  missed  that  feller  no  how. 
Queer  the  brute  'lowed  me  to  come  so  close ;  never 
moved  till  I  sent  the  jav'lin  right  into  his  ugly  carcass. 
There  he  lies,  sure  enough,  at  the  bottom  o'  the  ravine, 
dead  as  a  stone.  Ol'  feller,  ye  got  yer  everlastin',  an' 
no  mistake.  Hello!  What's  that?"  was  the  exclama- 
tion which  followed  the  discovery  of  the  prince's 
quarters.  "  Looks  as  ef  somebody'd  gone  to  house- 
keepin'." 

The  foregoing  talk  was  carried  on  by  Menke,  the 
hunter,  who  was  introduced  to  the  reader  in  the  pre- 
ceding chapter.  It  was  in  the  nature  of  a  soliloquy, 
in  which,  as  we  have  before  observed,  the  hunter 
frequently  indulged. 

In  pursuing  his  hunt  through  the  mountain  forests 
he  had  chanced  to  pass  near  the  place  where  the  prince 
and  Oza  were  sheltered,  and  seeing  the  animal  with 
fixed  attention,  crept  cautiously  up  and  gave  it  a  death 
thrust  with  the  javelin.  He  was  too  deeply  intent  on 
securing  the  animal  as  a  prize  to  notice  the  retreat  of 
the  fugitives  until  the  moment  his  exclamation  was 
uttered. 


A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  159 

.  Hualcoyotl  very  naturally  concluded,  on  hearing  the 
voice,  that  there  were  at  least  two  persons  in  the  party. 
He  also  surmised,  from  the  character  of  the  language 
used,  that  they  were  denizens  of  the  mountains. 

"  They  are  surely  not  soldiers,"  he  thought,  "  and 
may  prove  to  be  friendly." 

The  hunter  descended  into  the  ravine  for  the  pur- 
pose of  securing  his  prize,  hardly  expecting  to  find  any 
one  under  cover  of  the  shelter  he  had  just  discovered. 
When  he  reached  the  bottom  near  where  the  animal 
was  lying,  his  eyes  fell  upon  the  forms  of  the  prince 
and  Oza,  who  had  remained  quietly  waiting  develop- 
ments. He  quickly  took  in  the  situation  and  said, 
with  an  air  of  surprise  : 

"  Wull,  now,  what  kind  of  a  nest  d'ye  call  that,  eh  ?  " 

"  It  might  be  a  worse  one,  hunter,"  returned  the 
prince,  recognizing  Menke's  calling  by  his  general 
appearance,  at  the  same  time  coining  out  of  his 
sheltered  retreat.  "  We  were  endeavoring  to  get  some 
sleep,  after  a  very  tiresome  tramp  over  the  mountain," 
he  continued,  "  when  the  cry  of  this  beast  aroused  us 
rather  unceremoniously  ;  and  for  the  past  half  hour  we 
have  been  trying  to  drive  it  from  us  by  looking  it 
steadily  in  the  eyes.  But  it  has  been  provokingly 
persistent,  and  might  have  worried  us  out  in  time,  had 
you  not  opportunely  come  along  and  relieved  us  with 
your  javelin." 

"That 'counts  for  the  brute- pay-in'  no  'tention  to 
me  ;  'lowin'  me  to  come  right  onto  'im,  an'  givin'  me 
such  a  fine  show  for  his  skin,"  returned  the  hunter. 

"  Yes,  its  fixed  attention  made  it  a  splendid  target 
for  your  javelin.  But,  friend,  where  are  your  compan- 
ions?" the  prince  asked,  seeing  no  one  but  the  hunter. 


l6o  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

"  My  companions,"  quoth  Menke.  "  Don't  under- 
stand ye,  stranger." 

"  We  certainly  heard  you  talking  with  someone  just 
before  you  came  into  the  ravine,"  replied  the  prince. 

"  Wull,  now,  that's  so ;  I  was  doin'  some  talkin',  I 
reckon,  but  it  was  to  myself.  Ye  see,  stranger,  when  a 
feller's  alone  'bout  all  the  time,  as  I  am,  he  gets  real 
sociable  with  'imself,  an'  falls  into  that  way  o'  doin'. 
No,  there's  no  one  'long  o'  me,  an'  ef  I  did  any  con- 
versin',  it  was  entirely  onesided,"  returned  the  hunter, 
in  his  peculiar  manner  of  expression.  "  Ye've  got  a 
right  snug  place  here,"  he  continued,  taking  a  look  at 
the  fugitives'  shelter.  "  Goin'  to  stop  a  while,  eh?  " 

"That  will  depend  on  circumstances,"  replied  the 
prince.  "  Do  you  live  near  here  ?  " 

"  Wull,  no ;  it's  some  distance  to  my  place.  There 
are  folks  livin'  hereabout,  but  their  way  o'  livin's  kind 
o'  tough.  Ye'd  better  go  round  'em,  stranger.  Some 
good  people  on  the  plateaus,  though.  Now,  there's 
Tezcot — lives  th'  other  side  of  yon  mountain.  He's  a 
man  ye  can  fasten  to  an'  know  ye're  safe.  He's  a  kind 
o'  chief  'mong  the  mountain  people.  Ef  ye  happen  to 
run  onto  Tez,  ye'll  find  'im  true  as  his  arrer,  an'  that's 
sayin'  a  heap." 

"  We'll  try  to  remember  your  friend  Tezcot,  hunter, 
and  should  we  meet  him,  will  feel  that  we  are  fortu- 
nate." 

"  S'pose  ye're  on  a  huntin'  excursion,  eh  ? "  said 
Menke,  forgetting  the  strangers  could  not  be  supplied 
with  arms,  else  the  animal  would  hardly  have  held 
them  prisoners. 

"Well,  not  exactly.  Our  business  is,  to  some  ex- 
tent, searching  for  roots  and  berries,"  replied  the 


A   PRINCE   OP   ANAHUAC.  l6l 

prince,  expressing  a  sudden  thought  which  suggested 
a  way  of  misleading  the  hunter  and  avoiding  immedi- 
ate discovery. 

"Medicine  man,  eh?"  responded  the  hunter,  in  an 
ejaculatory  manner. 

The  prince  found  it  necessary  to  change  the  subject, 
which  he  did  by  inquiring : 

"  Do  you  ever  get  any  news  from  the  valley, 
hunter? " 

"  Wull,  yes.  'Casionally  meet  a  hunter  from  there 
who  has  news ;  an'  then  the  soldiers — thick  as  mosqui- 
toes round  here  o'  late — they  have  a  heap  to  say. 
Some  o'  them — the  Tepanecs,  are  lookin'  for  the  Tez- 
cucan  prince,  who's  hidin'  somewhere  in  the  moun- 
tains. Maxtla,  the  new  Tepanec  king,  is  after  his 
life." 

"  Have  you  seen  this  prince  you  speak  of  ?  " 

"  Wull,  no ;   haven't  had  that  pleasure." 

"  What  would  you  do,  hunter,  should  you  meet  with 
the  prince  on  the  mountain — make  him  a  prisoner  and 
claim  the  reward?" 

"  No,  stranger,  I'd  do  nothin'  o'  the  sort ;  I'd  let  'im 
alone." 

"  You  certainly  have  not  heard  of  the  extraordinary 
reward  which,  I  understand,  has  been  offered  for  his 
capture,  dead  or  alive — a  noble  lady's  hand  in  mar- 
riage, and  a  rich  domain  with  it,  to  him  who  takes  the 
prince.  Is  that  not  worth  considering?"  said  Hual- 
coyotl,  endeavoring  to  draw  the  hunter  out  still  farther, 
to  be  more  fully  assured  that  he  might  trust  him. 

"  Not  to  a  man  o'  family,  stranger,"  replied  the 
hunter. 

"  With  the  wealth  included  in  the  reward  you  could 


1 62  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

support  several  wives.  The  matter  of  a  family  would 
be  of  small  consequence,"  pursued  the  prince. 

"All  the  same,  stranger,  I'd  sooner  be  a  free  man  o' 
the  mountains  than  to  have  all  Maxtla  has  to  give  for 
the  prince's  capture.  I'll  never  be  a  slave  to  any  man, 
and  surely  not  to  Maxtla.  Ef  the  prince  should  come 
my  way,  I'll  show  'im  what  a  mountaineer  can  do  fur 
the  son  o'  his  father,  a  man  who  was  loved  by  his  peo- 
ple fur  the  good  that  was  in  'im."  At  this  instant  a 
thought  occurred  to  the  hunter  which  caused  him  to 
look  sharply  at  the  prince.  After  a  moment  of  close 
scrutiny,  he  said :  "  Come  to  think  of  it,  ye're  askin'  a 
good  many  questions  'bout  the  prince.  Wouldn't  be 
s'prised  ef  ye'd  turn  out  to  be  the  'dentical  chap,  yer- 
self.  Curious  I  haven't  s'pected  that  afore.  Who  are 
ye,  any  way  ?  " 

"  Hunter,  your  expressions  of  good  will  assure  me 
that  I  can  trust  you.  I  have  the  confidence  to  believe 
you  would  not  betray  a  pursued  and  unjustly  perse- 
cuted man.  You  see  in  me  Hualcoyotl,  the  fugitive 
prince."  As  the  prince  said  this  he  seemed  to  grow 
taller,  for  he  stood  proudly  erect  while  he  waited  for 
the  surprised  hunter  to  speak. 

Menke's  astonishment,  at  finding  his  suspicion  veri- 
fied, was  little  short  of  amazement.  After  a  moment, 
he  said : 

"  Wull,  ef  I  aint  clear  beat ;  been  talkin'  to  a  live 
prince  all  this  time,  an'  didn't  have  gumption  'nough 
to  know  it."  Looking  Hualcoyotl  over,  he  continued  : 
"  So  ye're  the  prince.  Wull,  that  knocks  me  crookeder 
'an  that  animal's  leg ;  I'd  'bout  as  soon  take  yer  man 
fur  a  prince.  Can't  see  but  ye're  just  like  other 
folks — nothin'  extra,  either." 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  163 

The  prince  could  not  repress  a  smile  of  amusement 
at  hearing  the  hunter's  very  expressive  language. 
Menke  continued : 

"  D'ye  know,  Prince,  ye  took  my  measure  exactly 
when  ye  said  ye  thought  ye  could  trust  me  ?  Ye  can 
do  it,  sure  as  ye  live.  May  the  next  lion  I  come  across 
eat  me  jacket  and  all,  ef  ye  can't !  " 

"Thank  you,  hunter,"  returned  the  prince.  "You 
can  not  know  how  much  relief  and  encouragement 
your  words  afford  us.  Our  situation  was  very  critical 
before  you  came  to  our  assistance,  and  we  feel  very4 
grateful  to  you.  The  disposition  of  kindliness  which 
you  evince  toward  us  is  most  assuring,  and  makes  us 
feel  as  if  we  were  not  wholly  friendless." 

"  That's  all  right,  Prince.  It  doesn't  cost  much  to 
be  obligin',  an'  it  turns  up  a  good  profit;  so  don't  let 
it  trouble  ye.  Menke — that's  me — '11  do  all  he's  prom- 
ised, an'  more  too  ef  it's  needed.  How're  ye  fixed  fur 
somethin'  to  eat?"  he  concluded,  thoughtful  of  the 
fugitives'  physical  wants. 

"Rather  poorly,  hunter.  We  have  nothing  except 
a  little  green  maize  which  we  brought  with  us  when 
we  came  here — hardly  worth  mentioning." 

"  Ye  are  a  little  short,  that's  a  fact.  My  luck  hasn't 
been  the  best  to-day.  Only  got  a  pheasant  or  two  an' 
one  hare.  Ye're  welcome  to  'em,  Prince." 

"Again  we  have  to  thank  you,  hunter ;  you  are  very 
kind." 

"  Can't  see' why  I'm  more'n  I  should  be  ;  ye've  noth- 
ing to  eat  an'  I  have;  that  means  a  divide  to  Menke, 
Prince." 

"  I  have  often  heard  of  the  liberality  and  hospitable 
character  of  the  men  of  the  mountains.  You  have 


164  A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC. 

proven,  by  your  kindness,  Menke,  that  the  report  is 
well  founded. 

"  It  doesn't  matter  how  you  put  it,  Prince  ;  that's  our 
way  o'  doin' ;  an'  ef  ye've  no  objection  to  remainin' 
here  alone,  I'll  take  yer  man  long  o'  me — what's  'is 
name  ?  "  he  suddenly  asked,  looking  at  Oza.  The  name 
was  given,  and  he  continued :  "  Wull,  Oza,  ef  yer  mas- 
ter's willin',  ye  can  g'long  o'  me,  and  I'll  find  ye  some- 
thin'  more  than  pheasant  an'  hare  to  eat." 

It  was  arranged  for  Oza  to  accompany  the  hunter  to 
the  plateau,  to  bring  in  such  food  as  he  might  procure 
for  them.  When  ready  to  go,  Menke  threw  the  carcass 
of  the  mountain  lion  (  for  such  it  was  )  over  his  shoul- 
der, and  started  to  leave  the  ravine. 

"  Hunter!  "  called  the  prince,  as  he  was  moving  off, 
"you  will  keep  our  hiding-place  a  secret.  Do  not  men- 
tion to  anyone,  not  even  to  your  closest  friends,  that 
you  have  seen  us ;  curiosity  might  lead  to  our  dis- 
covery." 

"  Don't  'low  any  such  notion  as  that  to  spoil  yer 
sleep,  Prince,"  returned  the  hunter.  "  When  Menke 
undertakes  to  do  somethin',  he  doesn't  count  on  callin' 
in  his  neighbors.  Think  he  knows  what's  what,  if  he 
does  live  on  the  mountains."  With  this  brusk  and 
emphatic  reply  he  left  the  ravine,  followed  by  Oza. 

Hualcoyotl  was  now  alone.  His  situation  was  not 
the  happiest,  and  was  calculated  to  call  up  disturbing 
reflections. 

For  some  time  after  the  departure  of  the  hunter  and 
Oza,  he  remained  in  his  retreat,  pondering  on  his  pecul- 
iarly trying  position.  Growing  nervous  and  uneasy, 
he  concluded  to  venture  out  on  the  side  of  the  moun- 
tain, which  he  did.  Finding  a  place  whence  he  could 


A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  165 

observe  unseen  the  approaches  to  his  quarters,  he  put 
himself  on  guard.  As  the  hours  passed  and  Oza  did 
not  return,  he  grew  still  more  uneasy.  He  had  eaten 
nothing  during  the  day,  and  hunger  was  becoming  a 
disturbing  influence.  When  night  came  on  and  Oza 
had  not  returned,  he  felt  that  some  mishap  had  cer- 
tainly befallen  him.  He  went  back  to  his  retreat,  under 
cover  of  darkness,  feeling  much  depressed  in  spirits, 
where  we  leave  him,  to  follow  the  hunter  and  "Oza. 

After  leaving  the  prince,  they  passed  noiselessly 
down  the  side  of  the  mountain  and  out  on  to  a  narrow, 
level  stretch  of  ground,  along  which  they  went  for  a 
short  distance,  passing,  on  their  way,  some  rudely  con- 
structed huts,  formed  of  sticks  and  earth,  which  were 
inhabited  by  the  class  of  mountaineers  referred  to  by 
Menke  as  living  tough. 

The  hunter's  object  was  to  procure  for  the  fugitives 
a  supply  of  uncooked  food,  but  he  did  not  deem  it  ex- 
pedient to  apply  to  the  occupants  of  the  huts  for  it,  so 
passed  6n. 

The}r  had  not  gone  far,  after  passing  the  huts,  when 
they  were  met  by  a  squad  of  soldiers,  the  sight  of  whom 
almost  paralyzed  the  heart  of  Oza. 

"  Hist,  Oza  !  "  quietly  ejaculated  the  hunter,  when 
he  discovered  the  soldiers  approaching.  "  Ye're  my 
servant ;  d'ye  understand  ?  Take  this  animal  on  yer 
back  an'  fall  behind."  Oza  comprehended,  and  quickly 
obeyed. 

Menke  advanced  boldly  up  to  the  soldiers,  and  one 
of  them,  looking  at  Oza's  burden,  said: 

"What  have  you  there,  hunter?" 

"  A  lion,  soldier — a  very  savage  kind  of  animal.  I'd 
caution  ye  to  look  out  fur  'em ;  they're  plenty  'round 
here,  'specially  on  the  mountains." 


1 66  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

"  Your  very  liberal  with  your  advice,  hunter,  which 
may  be  good,  but  think  we  can  take  care  of  our- 
selves." 

"All  right,  soldier ;  ef  ye  want  to  furnish  a  meal 
or  two  fur  the  hungry  beasts,  don't  'low  me  to  hin- 
der ye." 

"  Never  mind  the  beasts,  hunter ;  we  care  nothing 
for  them.  We're  looking  for  a  different  kind  of  an- 
imal— a  run-away  prince,  who  is  known  to  be  hiding 
somewhere  in  these  mountains.  Haven't  come  across 
such  a  fellow  in  your  travels,  eh?"  questioned  the 
soldier. 

"  Wull,  now,  wouldn't  be  sure,  but  think  I've  seen 
the  man  ye're  lookin'  fur,"  returned  Menke,  making 
a  show  of  trying  to  recall  the  circumstance.  "  Yes- 
terday— yes,  'twas  yesterday,  on  th'other  side  o'  the 
mountain.  Tall  chap  - 

"  Yes,"  interjected  the  soldier. 

"  Kind  o'  dark  skin?" 

"  Exactly,  hunter,"  again  put  in  the  soldier. 

"  Was  lookin'  fur  somethin'  to  eat,"  pursued  Menke. 

"  Just  what  he'd  most  likely  be  doing.  Think  you've 
seen  our  man,"  replied  the  soldier.  "  Could  you  tell 
us,"  he  continued,  "  about  where  to  look  for  him?  " 

"  Wull,  now,  soldier,  I  might  guess  at  it,  but  'twould 
be  like  shootin'  an  arrer  at  the  moon — I'd  come  'bout 
as  close  to  one  as  th'other.  Guess  I  can't  enlighten 
ye.  Sorry,  soldier,  but  I  can't,"  concluded  Menke, 
moving  on,  and  giving  no  heed  to  the  scowling  looks 
which  followed  him. 

The  meeting  with  the  soldiers  caused  the  hunter 
to  modify  his  plans  somewhat.  It  would  not  be  pru- 
dent to  build  a  fire  on  the  mountain,  with  which  to 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  1 67 

CQok  food,  while  the  soldiers  remained  in  such  un- 
comfortably close  proximity.  This  made  it  necessary 
to  procure  it  in  a  prepared  state. 

The  provisions  could  be  obtained  at  Menke's  home, 
but  to  go  there  would  consume  much  time.  Then, 
there  was  danger  of  the  soldiers  going  up  into  the 
mountain  in  their  search  for  the  prince.  He  ought 
to  be  informed  of  their  presence.  And  yet,  he  must 
have  something  to  eat. 

All  this  was  thought  over  by  the  hunter,  who  finally 
determined  to  take  the  risk  of  leaving -Hualcoyotl  to 
look  out  for  himself,  and  started  to  procure  the  vict- 
uals from  his  own  home. 

The  trip  was  accomplished  as  quickly  as  possible ; 
nevertheless,  darkness  overtook  them  before  they  got 
back ;  and  it  was  well  for  them  that  it  did,  for  they 
came  very  near  running  into  a  band  of  soldiers  who 
were  camping  close  to  the  point  where  the  hunter 
had  intended  beginning  the  ascent  of  the  mountain. 
This  made  it  necessary  for  them  to  retreat  and  make 
a  detour  in  order  to  reach  cover. 

The  soldiers  were  becoming  numerous  on  the  pla- 
teaus, and  Menke  realized  that  sharp  practice  would  be 
required  to  elude  them.  Having  become  deeply  in- 
terested in  the  welfare  of  the  fugitives,  he  decided,  in 
view  of  the  gravity  of  the  situation,  to  return  with  Oza 
to  their  retreat ;  and,  with  the  prince's  approval,  con- 
duct them  to  a  place  of  concealment,  at  or  near  his 
home. 

After  some  delay  a  bushy  undergrowth,  which  grew 
thickly  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  was  reached,  into 
which,  followed  by  Oza,  the  mountaineer  disappeared. 


1 68  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

ARKNESS  covered  the  mountains,  and  the  prince 
l_>/  still  waited  impatiently  in  his  retreat  for  his  at- 
tendant to  return  from  the  plateau.  A  feeling  of  anxious 
suspense,  mingled  with  a  sense  of  dread,  as  if  impend- 
ing calamity  was  threatening,  oppressed  him— a  feeling 
which  may  cowardize  the  bravest  heart  under  less  dis- 
couraging circumstances  than  those  which  surrounded 
him  at  that  moment.  He  was  about  to  leave  his 
shelter  again,  to  seek  relief  from  the  uncomfortable 
sensation  which  disturbed  him,  when  a  peculiar  cry 
attracted  his  attention,  and  caused  him  to  rouse  up  and 
listen.  A  moment  later,  to  his  great  relief,  it  was 
repeated.  He  moved  away  from  his  retreat  a  short 
distance,  to  find  a  safe  position  from  which  to  send 
back  an  answer,  which,  if  it  were  Oza,  would  bring 
him  in.  The  return  signal  was  given  and  the  result 
awaited  with  anxiety.  His  suspense  was  brief;  for 
in  a  very  short  time  two  persons  came  into  the  ravine 
and  cautiously  approached  the  sheltered  recess.  The 
prince  was  not  expecting  that  the  hunter  would  return, 
and  for  a  moment  was  undecided  what  to  do.  Oza 
quickly  reassured  him  by  calling,  in  a  subdued  voice  : 

"Master!" 

"  Here,"  returned  he,  leaving  his  concealed  position. 

"  Didn't  catch  ye  nappin',  eh,  Prince? "  said  Menke. 


A    PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  169 

"  No,  my  friend ;  with  the  anxious  listening  and 
watching  I  have  done  in  the  last  few  hours  that  would 
hardly  have  been  possible,"  returned  he,  and,  con- 
tinuing, he  said  :  "  I  was  not  expecting  that  you  would 
return  with  Oza ;  so  when  two  came,  instead  of  one, 
I  was  not  sure  of  its  being  him." 

"Hadn't  thought  of  returning  to-night,  Prince;  but 
findin'  danger  to  yerself  gettin'  thicker  an'  thicker, 
concluded  I'd  better  come." 

"  What  have  you  discovered,  hunter? "  anxiously 
inquired  the  prince. 

"  Tepanec  soldiers.  They're  gettin'  too  thick  fur 
comfort  round  here.  What  they'll  do  when  mornin' 
comes  I  wouldn't  stay  to  find  out  ef  I  'as  the  one 
they're  lookin'  fur,"  replied  the  hunter,  emphatically. 

"  Have  you  seen  the  soldiers,  that  you  speak  so 
positively?"  questioned  the  prince. 

Here  Menke  gave  an  account  of  the  meeting  with 
the  soldiers  going  out,  and  the  difficulties  encountered 
returning.  When  he  concluded,  Hualcoyotl  said, 
despondently  : 

"  What  can  I  do,  or  where  go,  to  find  safety  from 
my  pursuers  ?  Hunter,  you  know  these  mountains  well ; 
can't  you  tell  us  where  we  may  find  refuge? " 

"  That's  just  what  I'm  here  fur,  Prince.  Ef  ye'll  go 
'long  o'  me  I'll  try  to  put  ye  where  ye'll  be  safe.  Ye'll 
have  to  take  some  risk  in  goin',  but  think  we  can 
dodge  the  pesky  Tepanecs  an'  reach  my  place  all  right. 
Will  ye  go  ?  " 

"  We  believe  you  to  be  a  good  friend,  hunter,  and 
will  trust  you.  Yes,  we'll  go  with  you." 

"  Good  !  When  the  night  is  darkest,  and  sleep  has 
bound  the  soldiers,  I'll  lead  ye  from  here  to  a  better 


170  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

and  safer  concealment.  But  ye  must  eat.  Here  are 
bread  and  meat,"  continued  the  hunter.  "  Be  liberal 
to  yerself,  Prince ;  there's  plenty  more  where  we're 
goin',"  he  said,  giving  each  a  bountiful  supply  of  the 
provision. 

They  all  partook  heartily  of  the  food ;  after  which 
Menke  insisted  that  the  prince  and  Oza  should  lie 
down  and  sleep,  while  he  would  remain  on  watch. 

When  the  hour  came  around  for  leaving,  the  still 
tired  fugitives  were  sleeping  soundly.  The  hunter 
aroused  them,  and  said  it  was  time  to  go.  The  food 
remaining  from  the  supply  which  he  had  provided 
was  divided  among  them,  and  they  started. 

The  prince  was  not  insensible  to  the  peril  to  which 
he  was  about  to  expose  himself,  and,  very  naturally, 
experienced  some  uneasiness  in  consequence.  He 
did  not  doubt  the  fidelity  of  his  guide,  but,  realizing 
how  powerless  they  were  for  defense  against  a  band 
of  armed  soldiers,  should  they  be  discovered,  he  could 
hardly  feel  otherwise.  He  did  not  follow  blindly,  but 
was  guarded  and  ready  for  any  emergency. 

The  direction  taken  to  reach  the  plateau  was  differ- 
ent from  that  followed  by  the  hunter  and  Oza  the 
day  before.  This  course  was  adopted  with  the  hope 
of  avoiding  the  soldiers  known  to  be  encamped  at 
the  foot  of  the  mountain. 

Their  progress  was  slow,  and  much  time  was  con- 
sumed in  the  descent.  It  was  finally  accomplished, 
however ;  but  before  leaving  cover  the  hunter  made 
a  careful  reconnoisance  to  ascertain  if  the  way  was 
clear.  Finding  no  indications  of  the  presence  of  sol- 
diers, the  party  sallied  out  upon  the  open  ground,  and 
cautiously  crossed  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  plateau. 


A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  171 

Turning  to  the  right  they  moved  along  in  single  file, 
with  gulches,  crags  and  deep  ravines  to  the  left  of 
them,  and  small  fields  of  ripening  maize  and  chia- 
plant,  scattered  here  and  there  on  the  tillable  ground, 
lying  between  them  and  the  mountain  the}'  had  just 
left.  The  stars  shone  brightly  down  upon  the  trail 
they  were  pursuing,  and  the  trio  were  proceeding  on 
their  way  with  increased  confidence,  at  an  easy  pace, 
the  hunter  in  the  lead.  Jam  up  against  him  came 
the  prince  and  Oza.  He  had  suddenly  stopped. 

"Why  do  you  halt?"  inquired  the  prince. 

Menke  only  had  time  to  whisper  in  reply,  "  Escape, 
ef  ye  can ;  we're  discovered  ! "  when  they  were  set  upon 
by  a  band  of  Tepanec  soldiers. 

The  attack  was  made  near  a  patch  of  corn,  and  the 
prince  quickly  saw  in  it  a  way  of  escape.  He  still 
carried  the  stout  stick  which  did  him  such  excellent 
service  on  a  former  occasion.  It  was  swung  into 
position  for  defense,  and  when  the  soldiers  rushed 
upon  them  he  met  their  onslaught  with  a  resistance 
they  were  not  expecting.  In  less  time  than  is  required 
to  record  it  he  cleared  a  way  to  the  corn,  into  which 
he  disappeared,  and  was  lost  under  the  cover  of  night 
ere  the  assaulting  party  discovered  his  intention.  Some 
of  the  soldiers  followed,  but  to  no  purpose  ;  it  was  a 
case  of  life  or  death  to  him,  and  his  pursuers  were 
soon  left  floundering  in  confusion  behind. 

When  the  hunter  discovered  that  the  prince  had 
gotten  away,  he  quietly  surrendered. 

The  soldiers  could  only  have  presumed  that  Hual- 
coyotl  was  one  of  the  party  they  were  attacking.  If 
he  was,  a  sudden  seizure  would  secure  him.  On  this 
hypothesis  they  had  no  doubt  acted.  It  was  not  their 


172  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

purpose  to  injure  anyone  unnecessarily,  and  the  strug- 
gle ended  as  suddenly  as  it  had  begun. 

Putting  on  a  bold  front,  Menke,  in  a  very  stern 
voice,  said: 

"  Why  d'ye  jump  onto  a  feller  an'  his  men  in  this 
way?  We're  not  outlaws." 

"  Not  so  sure  of  that,  stranger,"  answered  one  of  the 
soldiers,  looking  the  hunter  over.  "  You  are  not  the 
man  we  want,  at  any  rate ;  one  of  your  companions 
may  be.  Who  are  they  ?  " 

"  They're  my  servants,"  replied  Menke. 

"  Which  you  expect  us  to  believe,  of  course,"  re- 
turned the  soldier,  doubtingly. 

"Oza,  where's  Yuma?"  inquired  the  hunter,  hold- 
ing to  his  assumed  position  of  master,  hoping  it  would 
divert  the  soldiers  from  a  pursuit  of  the  prince. 

"  Yuma  ran  away  like  a  coward,  master,"  answered 
Oza,  comprehending  the  hunter's  design. 

"Let  'im  go;  he'll  come  back  with  the  sun,"  said 
Menke,  with  a  show  of  indifference. 

The  soldiers  were  not  to  be  hoodwinked  so  easily, 
but  proceeded  to  inspect  Oza  closely.  After  satisfying 
themselves  that  he  was  not  the  person  wanted,  the 
spokesman  turned  to  the  hunter  and  said : 

"  You  are  quite  clever  with  your  tongue,  stranger. 
What  you  say,  may  be  true,  but  we  are  not  obliged  to 
believe  it.  Your  Yuma,  who  ran  away,  showed  too 
much  skill  to  be  a  servant.  We  are  inclined  to  be- 
lieve him  the  man  we  are  after." 

"As  ye  please,  soldier.  Havin'  made  up  yer  mind 
to  think  that  way,  there's  no  use  o'  wastin'  words 
'bout  it ;  an'  ef  ye've  no  further  use  fur  us,  we'll  move 
on,"  spoke  Menke,  decidedly. 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  173 

"You  can  go,"  returned  the  soldier,  shortly. 

The  hunter,  without  deigning  to  notice  the  soldiers 
farther,  moved  away  from  them,  followed  by  Oza. 
When  far  enough  off  to  be  secure  from  observation, 
he  paused  to  consider  what  should  be  done  next. 

The  situation  was  rather  perplexing.  It  would  not 
do  to  signal  the  prince ;  that  would  attract  the  atten- 
tion of  his  pursuers,  and  make  his  position  more  crit- 
ical. The  hunter  was  too  shrewd  to  do  that.  The 
only  alternative,  therefore,  was  to  wait  for  daylight  to 
come  to  their  assistance.  Having  decided  on  this 
course  a  safe  place  in  which  to  stop  was  found,  where 
we  (leave  them  to  follow  Hualcoyotl. 


After  going  some  distance  into  the  corn  patch,  the 
prince  paused  to  listen  for  the  noise  of  pursuit.  He 
could  distinctly  hear  the  rustling  of  the  stalks,  but  too 
far  away  to  give  him  any  present  concern.  He  was 
safe,  he  felt,  until  daylight — at  which  time,  however, 
he  wisely  concluded  he  would  not  be  if  he  remained 
on  the  plateau ;  for  the  soldiers  would  surely  search 
it  over  from  end  to  end,  so  soon  as  it  became  light 
enough  to  see.  He  must  get  away,  and  the  sooner 
he  went  the  better  would  be  his  chances  of  eluding 
them.  But  where  should  he  go,  was  the  all-important 
question.  His  eyes  turned  toward  the  mountain  he 
had  just  left. 

"  No,  it  will  not  do  to  go  there,"  he  thought ;  "  there 
is  danger  in  that  direction."  He  quickly  decided  to 
take  an  opposite  course  and  started. 

The  uncertainty  of  the  situation  led  him  to  dismiss 
at  once  the  consideration  of  an  immediate  reunion  with 


IJ4  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

the  hunter  and  Oza,  and  caused  him  to  thinK  only  of 
his  personal  safety. 

He  left  the  patch  of  corn  into  which  he  had  fled,  and 
passed  stealthily  out  onto  the  uncultivated  ground, 
which  he  found  covered  with  weeds  and  bushes,  and 
very  rough.  He  was  compelled  to  move  slowly  and 
pick  his  way  over  it.  Coming  to  another  patch  of 
corn  he  entered  it,  and  after  going  a  short  distance, 
paused.  Casting  his  eyes  about  him  he  discovered, 
plainly  outlined  against  the  horizon,  a  mountain,  seem- 
ingly not  very  far  off,  which  until  now  had  escaped 
his  observation,  and  to  which  he  determined  to  go.  It 
took  quite  a  while  to  reach  it,  for  it  proved  to  be 
farther  away  than  he  had  reckoned.  Finally,  after  a 
laborious  tramp,  he  stood  at  its  base,  and  was  glad 
when  he  entered  its  dense  wood  where  he  might  rest 
once  more  in  comparative  security.  He  went  far 
enough  up  the  side  of  the  mountain  to  render  his 
position  reasonably  safe,  where  he  found  a  spot  which 
was  thickly  covered  with  bushes,  into  which  he  crept 
to  await  the  morning's  dawning.  When  daylight  spread 
itself  over  the  scene  he  was  unconscious  of  it ;  for  he 
slept.  Later  on  he  awoke  to  find  the  sun  shining 
brightly  through  the  thick  foliage  about  him.  His 
location  was  found  to  be  well  protected  and  secure,  and 
he  decided  to  remain  in  it  for  the  time  being. 

The  prince's  situation  was  now  more  discouraging, 
if  possible,  than  at  any  previous  time.  In  his  efforts 
to  get  away  from  his  pursuers  he  had  put  himself 
beyond  the  help  of  the  hunter  and  Oza.  It  was  hardly 
possible  that  they  \vould  find  him  where  he  was  ;  and 
it  was  out  of  the  question  for  him  to  attempt  to  go  to 
them.  His  case  was  hourly  becoming  more  desperate. 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  175 

Fate  seemed  to  be  driving  him  helplessly  before  it. 
Thus,  in  temporary  security,  we  leave  him  for  the 
present. 

When  day  dawned  Menke  and  Oza  were  on  the 
lookout  for  Hualcoyotl ;  and  the  soldiers  were  seen 
scouring  their  vicinity  in  search  of  him.  But,  as  the 
reader  knows,  Menke  and  Oza,  and  the  soldiers  as 
well,  were  doomed  to  be  disappointed,  for  the  man 
they  were  looking  for  was  at  that  hour  sleeping  on  a 
mountain,  several  miles  away. 

The  soldiers  finally  gave  up  the  hunt  for  him  on  the 
plateau,  and,  as  good  luck  would  have  it,  turned  their 
attention  to  the  mountain  he  had  previously  occupied, 
believing  he  had  sought  the  nearest  shelter. 

The  hunter  and  Oza  waited  about  the  place  all  day, 
and  when  night  came  on  reluctantly  turned  their  steps 
toward  the  home  of  the  former. 


176  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

F7  UETZIN  and  Cacami,  with  the  assistance  of  their 
\_j  colaborers,  had  done  a  splendid  work  among  the 
men  of  their  tribe  for  the  cause  of  Tezcuco.  Every- 
where they  had  labored  the  Tezcucan  heart  was  thor- 
oughly aroused,  and  the  secret  preparations  for  resist- 
ance to  Maxtla's  rule  were  rapidly  assuming  propor- 
tions highly  encouraging  to  the  promoters.  The  com- 
rades were  now  returning  to  the  once  proud  capital  of 
their  nation  to  continue  the  work  of  organization  at  the 
very  threshold  of  the  enemy. 

The  work  in  Tezcuco  had  been  deferred  until  assur- 
ance of  success  was  made  reasonably  certain  elsewhere  ; 
and,  now,  since  a  perfect  confidence  in  the  ultimate 
triumph  of  their  cause  was  felt  by  the  conspirators,  the 
work  was  to  be  pushed  into  that  city  as  a  final  effort 
in  the  creation  of  the  mighty  and  silent  forces  which 
were  intended  to  strike  the  shackles  from  the  oppressed 
Tezcucans. 

The  young  men  reached  Zelmonco  villa,  on  their 
way  to  the  city,  in  the  afternoon,  where  they  proposed 
to  stop  a  few  hours  with  Teochma  and  Itlza.  It  was 
a  very  happy  meeting,  for  weeks  had  elapsed  since  the 
tzin  and  his  companion  turned  their  faces  away  from 
the  home  of  the  former. 

Jtlza's  welcome  to  Cacami  was  very  encouraging  to 
him.  The  weeks  of  absence  he  was  compelled  to  en- 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  177 

dure  had  strengthened  the  attachment  he  had  con- 
ceived for  her,  and  he  was  longing  for  some  token  of 
reciprocation,  which  would  release  him  from  his  pledge 
of  silence.  He  thought  he  saw  a  realization  of  his 
hopes  in  the  greeting  he  received  ;  and,  notwithstand- 
ing he  was  pledged,  when  he  came  face  to  face  with 
the  object  of  his  love  he  felt  that  his  feelings  would 
impel  him  to  speak,  should  the  opportunity  for  doing 
so  be  presented. 

The  days  had  not  been  without  effect  upon  Itlza, 
too.  She  had  grown  thoughtful,  and  the  thoughts 
which  held  her  most  were  thoughts  of  Cacami.  She 
had  often  gone  to  the  oak  tree,  where  she  sat  for  hours 
and,  dreamingly,  lived  over  again  the  few  pleasant 
moments  she  had  spent  there  with  him ;  and,  as  the 
dreaming  went  on,  her  heart  could  not  do  otherwise 
than  go  out  to  the  object  of  her  thoughts. 

After  an  hour  of  pleasant  talk,  and  the  subjects  of 
inquiry  had  been  exhausted,  the  little  party  broke  up. 
Euetzin  went  to  look  about  the  villa,  Teochma  to  see 
that  suitable  refreshments  were  prepared,  and  Itlza  and 
Cacami  for  a  short  stroll  in  the  park. 

Persons  who  are  in  love  are  usually  inclined  to  reti- 
cence in  the  presence  of  the  beloved,  except  when 
talking  on  the  subject  which  is  ever  uppermost  in  their 
minds.  Thus  it  was  with  Cacami  and  Itlza.  He  was 
thinking  of  his  promise,  and  was  not  a  little  vexed  at 
himself  for  having  given  it,  now  that  so  favorable  an 
opportunity  was  presented  for  pleading  his  cause.  She 
was  thinking  of  the  same  thing;  and,  remembering 
that  she  had  exacted  the  promise  from  him,  was  en- 
deavoring to  devise  a  way  to  let  him  know  that  he  was 
absolved  from  it.  The  consequence  was  a  rather  awk- 


178  A   PRINCE   OP  ANAHUAC. 

ward  silence  between  them.  He  finally  managed  to 
say: 

"  How  has  Laughing-eyes  occupied  the  time  since 
her  brother  and  myself  went  away?  " 

"As  she  always  does — eating,  sleeping,  and  dream- 
ing," she  replied,  jocosely. 

"  Were  your  dreams  in  your  sleeping  or  waking 
hours?"  he  asked,  looking  at  her  with  quizzical  in- 
terest. 

"  You  should  not  question  so,  Cacami.  To  be  truth- 
ful I  might  be  compelled  to  say  in  both;  then  you 
would  think  me  a  dreamer,"  she  answered,  coquet- 
tishly. 

"  I  should  never  find  fault  with  your  dreaming, 
L/aughing-eyes,  if  I  might  be  assured  of  a  part  in  it," 
he  said,  with  a  look  of  fondness. 

"  Selfish  Cacami ! "  she  exclaimed,  with  mock  so- 
lemnity. 

"Yes,  Laughing-eyes,  Cacami  is  selfish  where  you 
are  concerned,"  he  rejoined,  with  unfeigned  tender- 
ness. 

She  could  not  mistake  the  trend  of  his  manner,  and 
hoped  earnestly  that  he  would  disregard  his  promise, 
and  speak  the  endearing  words  she  had  herself 
checked  upon  his  lips  before  she  realized  that  her 
best  love  was  his. 

"  I  must  have  a  care  for  myself;  selfish  Cacami 
might  choose  to  spirit  me  away,"  she  said,  archly,  at 
the  same  time  giving  him  a  look  which  tempted  him 
severely,  and  almost  loosed  his  tongue.  With  a  heroic 
effort  he  controlled  himself,  and,  with  strained  face- 
tiousness,  replied : 

"When  I  do  that,  Laughing-eyes  will  furnish  the 
spirit  wings." 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  179 

To  this  quasi  repartee  she  answered  only  with  a 
coquettish  little  laugh. 

They  had  come  to  the  lower  side  of  the  park,  near 
the  roadway.  A  short  pause  had  followed  Cacami's 
last  remark,  and  he  was  fixedly  and  tenderly  contem- 
plating his  strangely  fascinating  companion. 

The  art  of  fashioning  flowers,  as  well  as  feathers, 
into  varied  and  beautiful  designs  was  an  accomplish- 
ment frequently  attained  by  the  native  women,  and  in 
which  Itlza  was  an  adept.  She  had  plucked  some 
choice  varieties,  here  and  there,  as  she  walked  along, 
and  wrought  them  into  a  delicate,  heart-shaped  bou- 
quet. She  noticed  her  companion's  quiet  demeanor, 
and,  feeling  a  magnetic  influence  from  his  fixed  gaze, 
turned  to  look  at  him. 

"  Why  are  you  so  silent  ?  "  she  asked,  her  voice  ex- 
pressive of  sympathetic  tenderness.  She  continued : 
"And  what  are  your  thoughts,  that  the  look  from 
your  eyes  burns  into  my  very  heart  ?" 

Her  eyes  were  fixed  on  his  as  she  spoke,  and  the 
love-light,  which  shone  from  them,  became  suddenly 
intensified.  For  an  instant  she  was  overcome  by  the 
power  of  his  superior  magnetism,  and,  holding  out 
both  hands,  involuntarily  exclaimed : 

"O,  Cacami!" 

When  Cacami  heard  the  impassioned  cry,  and  saw 
the  no  less  impassioned  ligrit  which  beamed  upon 
him  from  the  liquid  depths  of  her  intensely  luminous 
eyes,  the  temptation  was  too  strong,  and,  forgetting 
his  promise,  he  impulsively  clasped  her  hands  in  both 
his  own,  and,  for  one  moment  of  blissful  thralldom, 
two  souls  stood  blending  on  the  verge  of  rapture. 

"  Itlza !  "  called  the  mother,  from  the  hill  above. 


l8o  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

The  spell  was  "broken,  and  the  passionate  words 
which  trembled  on  Cacami's  lips  remained  unsaid. 

Itlza  quickly  withdrew  her  hands,  and  answered  her 
mother's  call ;  but  the  flower-heart  was  left  in  Cacami's 
possession. 

With  quickened  pulse  the  lovers  turned  from  the 
blissful  spot,  and  walked  toward  the  house. 

The  emotions  which  filled  the  heart  and  moved  the 
soul  of  Cacami,  in  that  to  him  ecstatic  moment,  can  not 
be  described.  Those  who  have  in  like  manner  realized 
the  dearest  wish  of  a  heart's  first  and  purest  love  only 
can  know  what  his  feelings  were.  Itlza  had,  not  in 
words,  but  in  the  language  of  soul  speaking  to  soul, 
surrendered  to  him  the  citadel  of  affection — her  heart, 
which  was  typified  in  the  beautiful  heart  of  flowers 
which  he  now  possessed. 

An  hour  in  Cacami's  society  had  shown  to  Itlza  how 
deep  was  the  love  she  felt  for  him;  and,  ere  the 
moment  of  revelation  came,  the  little  love-bird  which 
nestled  in  her  heart  was  fluttering  to  be  released,  that 
it  might  sing  its  song  for  him.  She  had  wrought  the 
flower-heart  for  her  lover,  but  knew  not  how  it  would 
reach  him.  The  moment  came,  as  we  have  seen,  un- 
expectedly to  Cacami  at  least,  which  transferred  it  to 
his  hand  and  revealed  to  him  the  fact  that  he  was 
loved. 

When  the  lovers  came  tip  to  Teochma,  who  stood 
waiting  for  them  at  the  top  of  the  hill,  they  had  over- 
come their  agitation  and  met  her  with  no  perceptible 
signs  of  confusion.  She  said,  with  a  slight  expression 
of  impatience  : 

"  Refreshments  are  waiting,  while  Cacami  and  Itlza 
are  lost  to  the  flight  of  time,  and  neglect  them." 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  l8l 

"  If  I  have  been  remiss,  the  pleasure  of  a  stroll  with 
Itlza  must  be  my  excuse,"  said  he  humbly. 

"  And,  Itlza,  what  have  you  to  say  of  your  conduct?  " 
asked  the  mother  in  a  quizzical  but  affectionate  manner, 
at  the  same  time  watching  the  effect  of  her  question. 
If  she  thought  to  fathom  the  sentiment  which  moved 
the  young  people  she  failed;  for  Itlza  answered  de- 
murely, casting  an  arch  glance  at  her  companion : 

"  It  was  Cacami's  fault,  mother ;  he  had  so  much  to 
tell  that  I  forgot." 

"  Well,  well,  I'm  inclined  to  think  you  are  both  to 
blame ;  and  since  it  is  so,  I  can  not  scold.  But  you 
must  be  more  thoughtful  in  the  future ;  "  at  saying 
which  Teochma  turned  and  led  the  way  into  the  house. 

After  refreshments  were  served,  the  family,  with 
Cacauii,  repaired  to  the  reception  room,  where  the 
evening  was  passed  in  pleasant  conversation.  The 
young  people  had  no  opportunity  to  communicate 
farther  except  in  a  general  way.  Thus  they  were  left 
for  another  interval  of  time  to  meditate  on  what  might 
have  been. 


The  tzin  was  in  deepest  sympathy  with  the  demands 
of  the  hour  upon  him  from  his  enslaved  countrymen 
and  their  subverted  government ;  and,  regardless  of 
the  entreaties  of  his  mother  and  Itlza,  and  the  pressing 
desire  in  his  own  heart  to  remain  longer,  cut  short  his 
stay,  and  with  Cacami,  who  was  sadly  disappointed  at 
not  being  permitted,  by  even  a  brief  interview  with 
Itlza,  to  verify  the  hopes  with  which  her  latest  conduct 
had  inspired  him,  struck  out  at  an  early  hour  the  next 
morning  for  Tezcuco,  where  the  work  in  behalf  of 
Tezcucan  independence  was  to  be  continued. 


1 82  A   PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

On  entering  the  city  the  tzin  felt  forcibly  drawn 
toward  the  palace  of  the  prince.  It  had  been  a  home 
to  him  for  the  past  eight  years,  and  now,  returning  to 
its  very  threshold  to  remain  for  a  time,  it  seemed  like 
forsaking  an  old  friend  to  turn  away  from  it. 

But  the  place  was  still  under  surveillance  by  the 
enemies  of  his  royal  master,  and,  unknown  though  he 
was  to  them,  his  presence  there,  he  felt,  might  expose 
him  to  suspicion,  which  would  mark  him  as  a  person 
to  be  watched,  thereby  causing  him  annoyance  and 
possible  interruption  in  his  labors.  He  therefore 
passed  it  by  with  a  sigh  of  regret,  and  sought  accom- 
modations elsewhere,  which  he  found  at  the  home  of  a 
patriotic  Tezcucan. 

No  time  was  permitted  to  elapse  unimproved  by 
Euetzin  and  his  coworkers.  The  necessary  steps, 
which  had  become  a  fixed  proceeding,  were  taken,  and 
ere  four  and  twenty  hours  had  passed,  a  council  of 
leading  Tezcucans  was  organized,  and  each  member  of 
it,  with  the  obligation  still  warm  upon  his  lips,  was 
laboring  secretly  and  zealously  for  country,  home  and 
Hualcoyotl. 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  183 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

IT  was  in  the  afternoon  of  a  day  a  week  or  ten  days 
subsequent  to  the  time  when  Hualcoyotl  became 
separated  from  Menke  and  Oza,  in  eluding  the  Tepanec 
soldiers  on  the  plateau,  that  Mitla,  the  daughter  of 
Tezcot,  had  gone  around  the  mountains  for  an  hour's 
pastime  with  her  bow  and  arrow ;  and,  having  grown 
weary  of  the  diversion,  was  returning  home.  She  had 
just  passed  a  sharp  extension  at  the  foot  of  the  moun- 
tain and  was  sauntering  leisurely  along  the  border  of  a 
patch  of  ripened  chia-plant,  which  her  father's  servants 
had  gathered  into  piles  and  left  lying  on  the  ground, 
when  her  attention  was  attracted  by  a  distant  yelling, 
heard  from  the  plateau  behind  her.  She  stopped,  and, 
while  listening  to  the  repeated  yells,  which  were  grow- 
ing louder  and  nearer,  was  suddenly  startled  by  the 
appearance  of  a  man  running  toward  her  from  the 
direction  in  which  the  hallooing  was  heard.  He  was 
evidently  fleeing  from  threatened  danger,  and  almost 
exhausted.  His  appearance  was  one  of  deep  distress, 
and  when  he  came  nearer  she  saw  that  a  look  of  de- 
spair was  depicted  on  his  pale  and  haggard  face.  She 
comprehended  the  situation  at  a  glance,  deciding  that 
he  was  being  pursued  by  a  foe,  and  instantly  conceived 
the  idea  of  concealing  him.  Without  waiting  for  ex- 
planations, she  raised  a  pile  of  the  chia-plant,  and, 
when  he  came  up  to  her,  told  him  to  get  under  it,  which 


184  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

he  tried  to  do,  but  only  succeeded  in  falling  in  a  help- 
less heap  upon  the  ground.  Mitla  did  not  wait  for  a 
further  effort  on  his  part,  but  speedily  covered  him 
with  the  stalks  of  the  plant  where  he  had  fallen.  Tell- 
ing him  to  lie  still — hardly  a  necessary  thing  to  do,  to 
a  man  in  his  exhausted  condition — she  moved  quickly 
from  the  spot  in  the  direction  of  her  home. 

The  man's  concealment  had  been  accomplished  none 
too  soon,  for  Mitla  had  taken  scarcely  a  dozen  steps 
when  a  party  of  Tepanec  soldiers  came  in  sight  around 
the  mountain  in  hot  pursuit  of  him.  So  soon  as  they 
came  in  view  she  stopped  and  looked  at  them  a  mo- 
ment ;  then  turned  and  fixed  her  gaze  on  a  rise  in  the 
ground  just  ahead  of  her,  as  if  something  had  attracted 
her  attention  to  that  point.  On  being  asked  if  she  had 
seen  the  fugitive,  she  answered  by  pointing  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  rise.  Her  ruse  was  successful,  for  the  sol- 
diers, without  further  question,  set  off  on  a  brisk  run. 
Mitla  followed  them,  to  get  as  far  from  the  fugitive's 
hiding  place  as  possible. 

When  the  soldiers  gained  the  opposite  side  of  the 
rise  they  were  completely  nonplussed,  and  appeared 
undecided  what  to  do.  Mitla  approached  them  with 
perfect  composure,  and,  when  interrogated  as  to  what 
direction  she  thought  the  man  had  gone,  encouraged 
them  to  think  he  had  taken  to  the  mountain.  This 
seemed  to  agree  with  their  own  conclusions,  and,  to  her 
delight,  they  dashed  away,  and  were  quickly  hidden 
among  the  bushes,  in  search  of  him. 

Mitla  wisely  concluded  it  would  not  do  to  go  back 
to  the  place  where  the  man  was  concealed,  just  then ; 
so,  to  consume  a  little  time,  went  on  to  the  house. 
After  informing  her  mother  and  Oxie  of  her  adventure, 


A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  185 

and  cautioning  them  not  to  show  any  interest  in  her 
movements,  she  returned  by  a  roundabout  way  to  the 
chia  patch.  Coming  to  the  pile  of  stalks  under  which 
the  man  was  lying,  she  said — only  loud  enough  for  him 
to  hear : 

"  Do  not  attempt  to  rise;  the  soldiers  are  searching 
for  you  among  the  bushes  near  by,  and  might  dis- 
cover you.  You  will  be  informed  when  all  danger  is 
past." 

After  thus  enlightening  him,  she  went  leisurely 
back  to  the  house,  to  await  her  father's  return  from 
the  mountains,  where  he  had  gone  in  quest  of  game. 

The  hunter  returned  early,  and  Mitla  told  him  of 
her  adventure.  He  decided  at  once  that  the  man 
could  not  be  relieved  with  safety  before  dark.  In 
coming  to  this  conclusion  he  felt,  in  his  kindness 
of  heart,  that  it  was  hard  on  the  poor  fellow  to  be 
left  in  such  a  trying  position  for  so  long  a  time,  but, 
with  the  soldiers  in  the  vicinity  and  liable  to  appear 
at  any  time,  he  must  bear  it  if  he  would  escape. 

The  hunter  suspected  the  fugitive's  identity,  and, 
while  waiting  for  night  to  come,  when  he  could  go 
to  his  relief,  occupied  the  time  in  ruminating  as  to 
how  he  might  best  serve  him.  He  haply  hit  upon 
an  idea  which  appeared  so  plausible  to  him  that,  with 
an  emphatic  slap  of  the  knee,  he  exclaimed: 

"Just  the  thing!  I'll  save  him,  or  my  name's  not 
Tezcot." 

"  What  is  'just  the  thing,'  father  ;  and  who  are  you 
going  to  save?"  asked  Mitla,  who  was  present,  and 
somewhat  startled  by  the  hunter's  sudden  outburst. 

"The  prince,  child.  Who  else  could  I  save  just 
now?  "  he  answered,  absently. 

"The  prince!   what  prince?" 


1 86  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

At  this  moment  a  revelation  came  to  Mitla's  mind, 
which  was  quite  a  surprise  to  her,  and  she  said,  ex- 
pressing it : 

"  What  a  simpleton  I  have  been,  father,  not  to  have 
thought  of  it  before — the  man  under  the  pile  of  chia- 
stalks  is  Hualcoyotl,  the  Tezcucan  prince!  Is  that 
what  you  mean?" 

"  Yes,  Mit,  that  is  just  what  I  mean." 

"And  you  think  you  can  save  him?" 

"  I'm  sure  I  can,  Mit,"  answered  the  hunter,  posi- 
tively. "  But,  child,  ye  must  ask  no  questions ;  I  can 
not  answer  ye." 

"  Very  good,  father.  I'm  sure  you  will  do  whatever 
you  think  you  can,"  she  replied,  with  the  confidence 
of  an  unqualified  belief  in  his  infallibility. 

The  time  dragged  along  very  slowly  to  the  kind- 
hearted  hunter  after  his  conception  of  a  plan  for  re- 
lieving the  fugitive.  He  felt  that  the  poor  fellow 
must  certainly  be  suffering  no  little  agony  in  his  pain- 
ful position,  and  his  sympathy  was  stirred  accordingly. 

Night,  which  was  impatiently  waited  for,  came  on  at 
last,  enveloping  the  mountains  in  darkness,  obscuring 
from  observation  objects  at  a  very  short  distance.  It 
was  the  hour  of  relief  for  the  hapless  wanderer  hid- 
den out  in  the  chia  patch. 

Tezcot  and  Mitla  quietly  left  the  house,  and  ap- 
proached the  spot  where  the  man  was  concealed.  The 
latter  pointed  out  the  pile  of  stalks  which  covered 
him,  and  the  former  lifted  them  off  his  motionless 
form.  They  found  him  in  a  pitiable  condition,  quite 
unable  to  rise.  The  hours  of  confinement  under  the 
chia  stalks,  together  with  his  previous  enervation,  had 
rendered  him  benumbed  and  helpless.  He  was  assist- 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  187 

ed  to  his  feet,  but  his  limbs  refused  to  sustain  him, 
and  it  was  found  necessary  for  the  hunter  to  carry 
him  to  the  house.  He  was  taken  to  a  private  apart- 
ment, and  placed  on  a  comfortable  couch.  A  mug 
of  pulque  was  given  him  to  drink,  after  which  it  was 
thought  best  to  leave  him  for  a  time  to  himself,  to 
recover,  in  a  measure,  from  his  spent  condition. 

More  than  a  week  of  enforced  concealment  on  the 
mountain,  without  food  to  stay  his  increasing  hunger, 
had  passed  to  Hualcoyotl  since  he  became  separated 
from  his  servant  and  the  hunter  Menke.  He  had  not 
been  disturbed  in  his  hiding  place,  but  the  distress 
arising  from  his  protracted  fasting,  together  with  a 
consequent  nervous  anxiety,  had  brought  him  to  the 
verge  of  desperation.  He  must,  and  would,  have 
something  to  eat,  and,  regardless  of  danger,  started  out 
to  find  it.  He  reached  the  plateau,  and  having  boldly 
emerged  upon  it,  stood  looking  about  him  for  a  house 
where  the  much  needed  food  might  be  obtained. 
While  thus  occupied  he  was  made  aware  of  the  fact 
that  a  party  of  soldiers  were  approaching ;  they  had 
discovered  him,  and  were  watching  his  movements. 
It  took  him  but  a  moment  to  determine  what  he 
would  do.  He  did  not  feel  equal  to  the  exertion 
which  would  be  required  in  an  effort  to  elude  them  by 
climbing  the  mountain ;  so,  on  observing  a  projection 
extending  out  from  it,  only  a  short  distance  from 
where  he  was,  he  promptly  decided  to  round  it  if  possi- 
ble, and  find  concealment  beyond.  He  started  off  at  a 
careless  gait,  though  feeling  very  shaky.  When  the 
soldiers  saw  that  he  was  walking  away,  they  increased 
their  movement ;  he  did  the  same,  which  brought  from 
them .  a  savage  yell,  which  sent  him  forward  with  a 


1 88  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

bound.  For  a  short  distance  he  ran  with  his  usual 
fleetness,  but  the  impelling  force  was  excitement, 
which  did  not  last.  He  succeeded  in  turning  the 
point,  but  in  an  almost  exhausted  condition.  It  was 
at  this  juncture  he  came  upon  Mitla ;  what  followed, 
the  reader  knows. 

When  the  hunter  returned  to  the  prince's  couch,  he 
found  him  in  a  very  much  improved  condition.  By  a 
little  exertion  of  his  own,  aided  by  the  stimulating 
effects  of  the  pulque,  his  circulation  was  rapidly  reas- 
serting itself,  and  his  forces,  though  in  a  weakened  state, 
were  reviving.  Refreshments  were  brought  in,  of 
which  he  was  permitted  to  eat  a  sufficiency  but  not 
excessively. 

Tezcot  avoided  referring  to  the  prince's  identity,  de- 
ferring his  inquiries  until  the  latter  should  be  more 
fully  restored. 

Hualcoyotl  did  not  suspect  that  his  host  had  a  suspi- 
cion as  to  who  he  was — at  least  showed  no  sign  that  he 
did.  He  was  inclined  to  be  reserved  and  uncommuni- 
cative ;  however,  took  occasion  to  express  his  gratitude 
for  the  kindness  shown  him. 

The  hunter,  after  giving  his  unhappy  guest  all  nec- 
essary attention,  and  assuring  him  of  his  safety,  left 
him  for  the  night. 

The  next  morning  Tezcot  repaired  to  the  apartment 
occupied  by  the  prince,  and  found  him  quite  comforta- 
ble. Food,  and  a  night's  rest  on  a  soft  couch — the  first 
he  had  enjoyed  for  many  days,  did  wonders  in  restoring 
his  exhausted  forces. 

The  hunter  was  quite  sure  that  his  guest  was  Prince 
Hualcoyotl ;  but  before  proceeding  to  carry  out  his 
plan  for  securing  him  from  further  pursuit,  he  wished 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  189 

to  obtain  an  acknowledgment  of  his  identity  ;  so,  after 
assisting  him  to  prepare  for  the  morning  meal,  he  ad- 
dressed him,  saying: 

"  Your  presence  in  this  house  is  known  to  no  one 
outside  of  the  family  of  Tezcot,  the  hunter."  The 
prince's  countenance  brightened  at  once  on  hearing 
that  name,  which  had  been  spoken  of  in  such  warm 
terms  by  Menke,  and  his  hopes  were  renewed  and 
buoyed  by  the  confidence  it  imparted.  He  listened 
more  attentively  while  the  mountaineer  continued : 
"  Since  it  is  no  secret  that  Hualcoyotl,  the  Prince  of 
Tezcuco,  is  a  fugitive,  and  hiding  somewhere  in  these 
mountains,  you  can  not  be  greatly  surprised  when  told 
that  we  think  you  are  that  person.  Do  not  feel  any 
concern  for  your  safety,  for  Hualcoyotl  is  as  secure 
with  Tezcot  as  he  would  be  in  his  own  palace,  sur- 
rounded by  his  friends." 

The  prince,  though  surprised  that  his  identity  was 
suspected,  was  greatly  relieved  and  encouraged  by  the 
hunter's  language,  and  his  confidence  went  out  to  him 
at  once ;  for  he  felt  sure  that  he  had  found  in  him  a 
friend — a  friend  who  had  been  raised  up  to  help  him 
in  his  darkest  hour.  To  the  kindly  spoken  words  of 
his  host  he  replied  : 

"And  you  are  the  great  mountaineer,  Tezcot,  the  chief 
of  hunters.  Hualcoyotl  is  indeed  fortunate  in  finding 
refuge  with  such  a  man.  The  name  of  Tezcot  relieves 
me  from  all  concern,  for  it  is  an  assurance  of  good-will 
and  security.  For  the  first  time  in  weeks  I  am  glad 
to  acknowledge  my  identity.  Yes,  glad  to  say,  I  am 
Hualcoyotl.  Your  divination  is  correct,  kind  friend ; 
for  the  fugitive  prince  stands  before  you,  profoundly 
grateful  for  his  deliverance." 


IQO  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

It  was  now  Tezcot's  turn  to  be  surprised,  for  he  in- 
ferred from  the  prince's  language  that  he  was  not  un- 
known to  him.  Hualcoyotl  continued : 

"  When  the  good  hunter  Menke  said  that  Tezcot 
was  a  man  true  as  his  arrow,  and  worthy  of  the  utmost 
confidence,  it  did  not  occur  to  me  that  I  would  so  soon 
be  thrown  upon  his  generosity.  But  such  are  the 
ways  of  the  Great  Unseen,  whose  purposes  we  can  not 
comprehend.  Hualcoyotl  is  surely  an  object  of  His 
protecting  care,"  he  concluded  reverently. 

Tezcot  was  deeply  impressed  by  the  exhibition  of 
reference  manifested  by  the  prince  for  the  Unseen 
Power  which  seemed  to  be  shielding  his  life  and  prov- 
ing him  in  the  crucible  of  adversity,  to  prepare  him 
for  the  great  future  which  then  lay  hidden  before  him. 
Wonder  prevailed,  however,  and  he  said : 

"  Your  words  are  astonishing.  Do  you  mean  to  tell 
me  that  you  have  met  the  hunter  Menke,  and  yet  are 
here  a  rescued  fugitive?  " 

"  Yes,  Tezcot ;  but  days  have  passed  since  we  met 
and  were  unfortunately  separated,"  replied  the  prince. 

"  Still,  I'm  puzzled  to  account  for  your  being  here 
as  you  are,  after  meeting  so  good  and  shrewd  a  friend 
as  Menke,"  returned  the  hunter. 

"  No  doubt  you  are  ;  but  be  assured,  kind  friend,  it 
was  no  fault  of  his  that  it  is  so."  The  prince  went  on 
and  related  the  circumstances  of  his  meeting  with 
Menke,  and  what  followed. 

"  Menke  is  a  good  friend,  but  a  little  odd,"  said  Tez- 
cot, when  the  prince  had  concluded.  "  He  has  no 
doubt  looked  for  you  in  every  place  but  the  right 
one,"  he  continued.  "  You  certainly  have  reason  to 
think,  from  what  you  have  seen  of  us,  that  you  have 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  19! 

nothing  to  fear  from  the  mountaineers.  If  they  might 
do  it,  I  am  sure  all  of  them  would  be  glad  to  afford 
you  assistance." 

"  I  believe  you,  Tezcot,  and  heartily  appreciate  the 
disposition  of  friendliness.  Especially  do  I  feel  thank- 
ful to  yourself  for  what  has  already  been  done  for  me. 
That  such  an  excellent  friend  was  raised  up  to  help 
me  so  opportunely  fills  me  with  unmeasured  grati- 
tude." 

"  Your  feelings  are  natural;  but,  my  friend,  you  are 
not  yet  beyond  danger.  Let  us  look  to  your  further 
safety.  If  you  will  permit  it,  I  think  something  may 
be  done  to  secure  you  from  any  future  discomfort,  so 
far  as  the  Tepanec  soldiery  is  concerned,"  said  Tezcot, 
getting  round  to  his  purpose. 

"  I  am  in  no  condition  to  decline  the  proffered  as- 
sistance of  anyone,  nor  will  I  that  of  Tezcot  and  his 
friends.  My  present  weal  is  in  your  hands.  What 
would  you  have  me  do?  " 

"  Only  this :  put  your  trust  in  the  mountaineers,  and 
follow  me  without  question.  You  will  have  no  cause 
to  regret  it,  should  you  do  so,"  replied  the  hunter. 

"At  this  moment  I  am  no  more  than  a  child.  I 
need  no  assurance  that  your  intentions  are  worthy  of 
my  whole  confidence.  I  trust  you,  my  friend,  implic- 
itly;  do  with  me  what  you  will,"  he  answered,  show- 
ing how  weak  and  dependent  he  had  become. 

"  It  is  well.  When  the  stars  alone  shall  give  light 
to  guide  us,  we  will  go  to  a  retreat  which  only  an 
army  may  successfully  invade  to  disturb  you.  But, 
come ;  breakfast  waits." 

When  the  prince  entered  the  eating-room,  his  ap- 
pearance, as  compared  with  what  it  was  the  night  be- 


IQ2  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

fore,  was  greatly  improved.  His  apparel  was  consid- 
erably soiled ;  but  after  a  good  cleaning  and  rearrang- 
ing, which  it  had  received  at  the  hands  of  Tezcot's 
servants,  made  him  appear  more  like  the  well-bred 
person  he  was. 

The  hunter  named  each  member  of  his  family  by 
way  of  introduction.  Hualcoyotl  immediately  turned 
toward  Mitla,  and  said : 

"To  this  young  woman  a  debt  is  due  from  me 
which  all  the  wealth  of  Anahuac,  in  my  hands,  could 
not  cancel.  Words  are  meaningless  when  drawn  upon 
to  express  what  I  feel  for  the  ready  thought  which 
prompted  the  action  whereby  I  was  saved  from  an  im- 
placable enemy.  Hualcoyotl  will  ever  owe  one  debt 
which  can  not  be  paid." 

Mitla  was  greatly  embarrassed  by  the  words  and 
manner  of  the  prince,  addressed  to  her  so  unexpect- 
edly ;  yet,  after  a  moment's  hesitation,  she  recovered 
herself,  and  said : 

"  Your  words  are  very  kind,  and  more  than  repay 
me  for  what  I  did  to  save  you  from  your  pursuers.  I 
shall  always  be  glad  that  I  was  where  I  could  help 
you." 

The  prince  was  pleased  with  her  reply.  It  showed 
a  degree  of  intelligence  he  was  not  expecting  to  find 
in  a  mountain  girl,  and  he  said  : 

"  I  am  having  a  peculiarly  diverse  as  well  as  adverse 
experience.  Yesterday  I  was  a  miserable,  suffering 
fugitive,  hunted  by  a  relentless  foe  into  a  condition  of 
absolute  incapability ;  this  morning  the  conditions  are 
entirely  and  happily  reversed  by  your  wonderful 
presence  of  mind  at  a  rare  and  perplexing  moment. 
In  the  midst  of  extremest  adversity  I  am  suddenly 


A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  193 

brought  to  realize  a  sense  of  security  and  happiness  by 
being  thrown  upon  the  generosity  of  this  most  gener- 
ous family.  First  there  comes  to  me  this  morning  the 
kindly  expressed  sympathy  of  the  noble  hunter,  Tezcot, 
assuring  me  of  my  safety ;  and  now  the  generous  words 
of  my  admirable  young  preserver.  What  can  I  say  in 
return  for  your  magnanimity?  " 

"  Don't  try  to  say  anything,  Prince.  Forget  your 
gratitude  for  a  little  while ;  cease  to  praise  us,  and  fall 
to  eating  heartily,  that  you  may  have  strength  to 
endure  what  is  before  you,"  interrupted  the  host 
pleasantly. 

"  One  could  not  do  less  than  eat  heartily  in  this  ex- 
cellent mountain  home,"  he  replied,  looking  kindly  at 
Zoei. 

Tezcot  rejoined  in  a  jocular  manner,  and  the  con- 
versation continued,  varying  as  the  meal  progressed. 

Breakfast  was  over,  the  prince  had  retired  to  his 
appartment,  and  Tezcot  was  gone.  The  latter  had 
taken  his  hunting  outfit  and  disappeared,  but  not  with- 
out a  word  of  caution  to  the  former. 

It  was  not  an  uncommon  thing  for  the  hunter  to 
take  his  javelin,  bow  and  quiver,  and  go  away  for  a 
day's  hunt ;  so,  on  this  occasion,  there  was  nothing 
thought  of  it. 


194  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

IT  was  mid-afternoon,  and  quiet  reigned  in  and  about 
the  mountaineer's  home.  Tezcot  was  still  on  the 
mountain,  where  he  had  gone  in  the  morning,  presum- 
ably to  hunt.  Hualcoyotl,  though  still  very  weak 
from  privation  and  the  effects  of  the  distressing  ordeal 
through  which  he  had  passed  the  previous  day,  was 
enjoying,  in  undisturbed  seclusion,  a  peacefulness  of 
mind  he  had  not  experienced  since  his  wanderings 
began.  Mitla  and  Oxie  were  passing  a  leisure  hour  in 
the  inviting  shade  of  a  large  cypress  tree,  which  stood 
a  short  distance  from  the  house.  To  this  spot  they 
often  went  to  while  away  their  unoccupied  time  in 
chatting,  and,  if  industriously  inclined,  to  fashion  some 
article  for  the  adornment  of  the  person  or  home.  Mitla, 
on  this  occasion,  was  engaged  in  arranging  a  piece  of 
feather-work,  while  Oxie,  less  diligent,  lazily  disposed 
herself  on  the  warm,  dry  sward  near  by. 

The  happiness  of  innocent  girlhood  was  enjoyed  by 
both  these  maidens,  for  no  disturbing  influence  had, 
up  to  this  time,  come  to  mar  the  rustic  simplicity  of 
their  lives.  The  passion  of  love,  which  sooner  or  later 
stirs  the  heart  of  youth,  was  yet  unknown  to  them. 

Oxie  was  saying : 

"  I  think  the  prince  is  very  handsome,  sister,  don't 
you  ?  "  She  spoke  with  shyness,  as  if  the  expression 
involved  a  thought  to  which  she  ought  not  give  utter- 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  1 95 

ance.  Mitla  looked  up  with  no  little  surprise  and 
said,  inquiringly : 

"  When  did  your  eyes  open  to  the  thought  that  men 
are  sometimes  handsome,  Oxie?  " 

"  My  eyes  have  long  been  open  to  that  which  is 
attractive,  Mitla.  Would  you  have  me  close  them 
now,  that  the  object  is  a  man?"  she  replied,  with  some 
show  of  impatience. 

"  Not  so,  sister ;  but  coming  from  you,  the  words 
sounded  oddly.  It  seems  only  yesterday  that  you  were 
a  child.  Your  question  tells  me  you  are  one  no  longer. 
But  to  answer  you :  The  prince  is  fine  looking,  yet 
does  not  impress  me  as  being  admirable.  Under  more 
favorable  circumstances  he  would,  no  doubt,  be  quite 
handsome." 

"  It  is  when  he  speaks  that  the  beauty  of  his  coun- 
tenance is  seen,"  said  Oxie  with  more  courage,  which 
Milla's  answer  had  imparted.  "  His  eyes  are  so  bright, 
they  fairly  dazzle  one.  When  he  spoke  to  you  this 
morning  at  breakfast  I  could  not  help  admiring  him. 
It  surely  was  not  wrong,  sister?" 

"  I  can  not  say  if  it  was  wrong  or  not ;  yet,  Oxie,  I 
would  not  encourage  such  thoughts ;  they  might  wound 
your  heart,"  replied  Mitla,  not  yet  having  realized  that 
older  hearts  than  Oxie's  were  subject  to  impressions 
that  often  wound. 

"Why  do  you  say  that,  sister?"  asked  Oxie,  some- 
what curiously.  "  Why  should  it  wound  my  heart  to 
think  well  of  the  prince's  looks?" 

"  Do  you  know  what  such  thoughts  lead  to,  Oxie  ?" 
rejoined  Mitla,  soberly. 

"  I  can  not  say  that  I  do ;  but  surely  not  to  anything 
serious  ?  "  still  curious. 


196  A   PRINCE   OF   AN  AH  TJ  AC. 

"  Well,  sister,  I  will  tell  you.  After  admiration 
follows  love,  which  in  this  case  would  indeed  be 
serious.  The  folly  of  a  mountain  girl  falling  in  love 
with  a  noble,  and  he  a  prince  at  that,  should  be  ap- 
parent even  to  you,  Oxie,"  Mitla  answered,  a  little 
severely. 

"  Why  folly,  sister,  if  her  love  should  be  returned?  " 
asked  the  infatuated  maiden.  This  was  too  much  for 
Mitla's  philosophic  mentality,  and  she  concluded  that 
a  further  discussion  of  the  subject  would  only  tend  to 
strengthen  the  impressions  made  upon  Oxie's  inex- 
perienced mind  by  the  person  of  the  young  prince. 
She  answered  evasively: 

"  I  only  know,  sister,  from  what  I  have  heard,  and 
think  I  would  prefer  to  say  no  more  about  it.  See !  " 
she  suddenly  exclaimed,  "  yonder  comes  father.  L,et 
us  run  to  meet  him,"  and  away  they  sped  to  meet  the 
hunter,  whose  appearance  was  hailed  by  Mitla  as  be- 
ing very  opportune. 

"You  are  early  at  home  to-day,  father,"  she  said, 
when  they  came  up  to  him.  "  Has  anything  happened 
to  you?" 

"  Yes  and  no,  child.  You  double  up  your  questions 
so,  I  scarcely  know  how  to  answer,"  said  he,  in  reply. 
I  was  a  little  anxious  about  the  prince,  and  returned 
earlier  on  that  account.  He's  all  right,  eh  ?  " 

"  He  seems  to  be,  father.  We  would  not  know  that 
he  is  in  the  house,  from  any  noise  he  makes,"  an- 
swered Mitla. 

"Where  is  your  game,  father?"  inquired  Oxie,  no- 
ticing that  he  brought  none  with  him.  "  You  never 
before  came  home  with  an  empty  hand." 

"  No,  child ;  not  if  I  were  hunting." 


A  PRINCE  OF  ANAHUAC.  197 

"  Have  you  not  been  hunting,  father,"  she  pursued. 

"  No,  Oxie.  Other  business  has  claimed  my  atten- 
tion to-day." 

"  I  can  guess  where  you  have  been,  father,"  said 
Mitla,  eager  to  give  expression  to  a  suddenly  con- 
ceived thought. 

"  I  wouldn't  wonder,  child,  if  you  should,"  he  re- 
plied, apparently  indifferent  as  to  whether  she  could 
or  not. 

"  You  have  been  to  see  the  hermit.  Am  I  not  cor- 
rect?" 

"  Yes,  Mit,  you  are  correct.  I  went  to  have  a  talk 
with  Ix  about  the  prince." 

"  I  know  now  what  you  meant  yesterday,  when  you 
declared  you  would  save  the  prince,  while  he  was  still 
under  the  chia  stalks,"  added  Mitla.  "  It  was  thought- 
ful in  you  to  see  in  the  hermitage  a  refuge  for  him," 
she  continued,  her  voice  expressing  approval,  which 
was  also  reflected  on  her  animated  countenance.  "  Will 
the  hermit  approve  of  it?" 

"  Yes,  child,  but  I'd  rather  not  discuss  the  matter 
farther  now.  I'll  tell  you  all  about  it  another  time," 
urged  the  father,  kindly. 

They  were  drawing  near  to  the  house,  to  enter 
which  they  were  obliged  to  pass  the  little  window 
of  the  prince's  apartment,  at  which  he  was  seated, 
looking  out.  The  hunter  and  Mitla  greeted  him  with 
a  friendly  smile  of  recognition  as  they  passed.  Oxie, 
who  had  fallen  behind  for  a  moment,  to  pluck  a 
few  flowers  which  she  arranged  into  a  neat  little 
bouquet,  on  coming  to  the  window,  blushingly  hand- 
ed them  to  him.  He  looked  pleased,  and  acknowl- 
edged the  gift  by  saying : 


198  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

"  You  are  very  good  to  remember  me  in  this  man- 
ner. Your  kindness,  Oxie,  will  not  soon  be  forgotten." 

There  was  that  in  the  voice  and  manner  of  the  prihce 
which  affected  the  simple,  girlish  heart  of  Oxie  greatly. 
She  was  too  much  confused  to  reply,  and,  dropping  her 
eyes  under  his  piercing  look,  hurried  on  after  her  father 
and  Mitla,  who  had  already  entered  the  house. 

Hualcoyotl  was  always  considerate  of  the  feelings  of 
those  with  whom  he  came  in  contact,  no  matter  what 
might  be  their  station  in  life ;  as  a  consequence  he  was 
kindly  regarded  by  all  who  came,  in  any  degree,  to 
know  him.  His  words  addressed  to  Oxie,  in  acknowl- 
edgment of  the  gift  of  flowers,  were  spoken  with  no 
thought  other  than  that  of  kindness ;  yet,  what  he  said 
was  indelibly  fixed  on  her  keenly  receptive  mind,  es- 
pecially the  words:  "Your  kindness,  Oxie,  will  not 
soon  be  forgotten."  They  would  prove  a  secret  treas- 
ure put  away  in  memory's  hidden  recesses  to  be  drawn 

upon 

"  When  in  silent,  contemplative  mood." 

When  the  mountaineer  left  home  in  the  morning,  in- 
stead of  going  to  hunt  he  went  directly  to  the  hermit's 
cave.  His  purpose  was  to  have  a  talk  with  Ix,  the 
"  man  of  mystery,"  regarding  the  prince,  and  to  arrange 
for  bringing  him  to  the  cavern  for  safety.  He  felt  sure 
the  hermit  would  raise  no  objections  to  having  the 
fugitive  for  a  close  neighbor,  if  not  a  companion.  He 
was  received  with  the  hermit's  accustomed  cordiality, 
and  listened  to  with  close  attention  while  he  made 
known  the  object  of  his  visit. 

Notwithstanding  his  habitual  serenity,  Ix  gave  evi- 
dence in  his  mien  of  both  interest  and  sympathy 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  199 

as  the  account  of  the  prince's  distressed  condition, 
when  rescued,  was  told  to  him  by  the  hunter.  He  said 
nothing,  however,  until  the  latter  was  through. 

"  I  know  not  of  what  blood  you  are,  O  Tezcot,  nor 
do  I  ask  to  know ;  but,  from  the  words  you  have  often 
spoken  in  my  presence,  to  which  I  have  hearkened 
with  pleasure,  together  with  the  deep  concern  you  now 
manifest  for  the  welfare  of  the  Prince  of  Tezcuco,  I  am 
assured  that  you  are  kindly  disposed  toward  his  people. 
Although  Ix  is  without  a  country,  still  he  has  his  prefer- 
ences. Your  sympathy  for  the  young  prince  finds  an 
echo  in  my  lonely  heart.  Fetch  him  hither,  good  friend, 
and  let  him  abide  with  me,  for  mine  is  a  dreary  cell  to 
which  his  presence  will  bring  a  welcome  relief."  Such 
was  Ix's  gratifying  response  to  Tezcot's  plea  for  Hual- 
coyotl. 

Expressing  his  gratification  in  a  very  hearty  manner 
for  the  hermit's  ready  consent  to  receive  the  prince  as 
a  companion,  and  promising  to  see  him  again  in  the 
evening,  accompanied  by  the  latter,  the  hunter  took 
his  departure. 

After  leaving  the  cavern,  Tezcot  went  to  talk  with  a 
few  of  the  leading  mountaineers  about  the  prince  ;  and, 
especially,  with  reference  to  putting  the  hermitage  un- 
der a  close  surveillance.  The  cavern  would  afford  a 
comparatively  safe  refuge  as  it  was,  but  to  make  it  so 
beyond  a  doubt  was  an  important  part  of  the  hunter's 
plan.  To  do  this  would  require  the  cooperation  of  a 
number  of  his  friends.  He  found  the  mountaineers 
whom  he  went  to  see  cheerfully  acquiescent,  and  ready 
to  assist  in  any  way  they  could. 

In  order  that  no  delay  might  ensue  in  arranging  for 
Hualcoyotl's  security  it  was  decided  that  a  council  of 


2OO  A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC. 

friendly  hunters  should  be  held  at  one  of  their  homes, 
conveniently  located,  where  explanations  could  be 
made  and  an  organization  effected  to  meet  the  exi- 
gency. Runners  were  dispatched  accordingly,  to 
notify  those  whose  presence  at  the  council  was  partic- 
ularly desired.  After  matters  were  shaped  agreeably 
to  the  hunter's  ideas,  he  turned  his  footsteps  home- 
ward, where  his  arrival  has  already  been  noted. 

Everything  was  working  well  for  securing  the  safety 
of  the  royal  fugitive,  and  greatly  to  the  satisfaction  of 
his  deeply  interested  friend,  who  felt  in  his  big  heart  a 
profound  sense  of  self-approval  for  what  he  was  doing 
for  suffering  Tezcuco,  by  giving  aid  to  her  persecuted 
prince. 

Night  came  on,  and  the  mountaineer's  home  was 
enveloped  in  deep  darkness.  The  hour  was  at  hand 
when  Hualcoyotl  was  to  be  conducted  thence  to  the 
hermit's  cave.  In  taking  leave  of  the  hunter's  family 
he  had  words  of  kindness  for  all,  especially  for  Mitla, 
whom  he  looked  upon  as  a  deliverer,  and  toward  whom 
he  felt  a  profound  sense  of  gratitude.  He  could  not 
forget  that  her  quick  thought  and  ready  hand  had 
saved  him  from  capture  and  a  subsequent  cruel  death 
at  the  hands  of  his  enemy,  and  placed  him  in  the  way 
of  a  final  escape,  as  he  believed,  from  his  pursuers. 
Whatever  that  was  worth  to  him  he  owed  to  her. 

To  Oxie  he  said,  holding  up  the  little  bouquet  of 
flowers  she  had  given  him  a  few  hours  before : 

"  I  bear  away  with  me  this  token  of  your  kindness, 
Oxie.  It  will  soon  fade  and  pass  from  my  keeping ; 
not  so  a  recollection  of  the  giver.  That,"  turning  to 
Zoei,  "  with  the  remembrance  of  the  peaceful  hours 


A    PRINCE    OF   AXAHUAC.  2OI 

I  have  enjoyed  beneath  your  hospitable  roof,  will  pass 
from  me  only  with  my  life.  Good-by."  The  next  mo- 
ment he  was  gone,  disappearing  with  his  conductor  in 
the  deep  shadows  of  the  night. 

There  was  no  particular  danger  to  be  feared  on  the 
way  to  the  hermitage,  except  a  possible  attack  from 
some  prowling  beast ;  still  Tezcot  deemed  it  prudent  to 
go  armed  for  any  emergency.  He  had  undertaken  to 
do  a  thing,  and  was  firm  in  his  purpose  that  nothing 
should  intervene,  through  any  act  or  omission  of  his, 
to  prevent  its  accomplishment.  He  was  wide  awake, 
and  his  uncommonly  quick  ear  and  penetrating  eye 
were  wonderfully  alive  to  the  surroundings,  ready  to 
catch  any  sound,  or  spot  any  object,  of  a  suspicious 
nature  which  might  suddenly  arise. 

The  prince's  enervated  physical  condition,  together 
with  the  roughness  of  the  ground  over  which  it  was 
necessary  to  pass,  made  their  progress  unavoidably 
slow.  He  had  the  utmost  confidence  in  his  conductor, 
and  followed  him  in  silence.  However,  not  having 
been  informed  as  to  their  destination,  his  mind  was 
actively  ruminating  amid  the  realms  of  conjecture  and 
anticipation. 

Not  a  word  was  spoken  by  either,  after  leaving  Tez- 
cot's  house,  until  the  cavern  was  reached,  and  then  not 
before  the  signal  was  given,  and  Ix's  deep  and  solemn 
voice  was  heard  in  answer  to  it,  bidding  them  welcome 
to  his  humble  abode. 

The  hermit's  expression  of  language  was  always  im- 
pressive, especially  so  in  the  presence  of  those  whom 
he  looked  upon  as  having  superior  intelligence,  en- 
titling them  to  consideration.  The  presence,  there- 
fore, of  the  Prince  of  Tezcuco  was  of  sufficient  im- 
portance to  call  for  his  most  imposing  manner 


202  A   PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

After  Tezcot  had  in  a  few  words  introduced  the 
prince  to  his  cavern  retreat  and  its  mysterious  occu- 
pant, and  the  prince  had  given  expression  to  his  great 
surprise  and  gratification,  the  hermit  said  significantly: 

"  The  wise  hunter  counted  well  when  he  numbered 
Ix  among  the  friends  of  Hualcoyotl;  "  then  turning  to 
the  latter  he  continued:  "Content  yourself  with  me, 
O  Prince  of  Tezcuco,  until  the  great  Huitzil  is  ready 
to  avenge  you,  which  he  will  surely  do." 

We  will  not  pause  to  detail  what  followed  at  the 
hermitage  on  this  occasion,  except  to  say  briefly,  that 
Tezcot,  after  assuring  himself  that  the  prince  would  be 
comfortable,  and  promising  an  early  return,  took  his 
leave,  saying  as  he  did  so : 

"The  gods  befriend  you  both,  and  confuse  the 
emissaries  of  Maxtla." 

A  no  less  sincere  benediction  from  two  grateful 
hearts  followed  the  departing  friend. 

The  hermit  and  prince  were  alone.  What  transpired 
between  them  the  reader  will  be  left  to  conjecture. 
We  will  say,  however,  that  the  association  resulted  in 
a  friendship  which  proved  of  inestimable  advantage  to 
both  of  them  in  an  auspicious  future. 

Tezcot  went  from  the  hermitage  to  the  meeting  of 
the  friendly  hunters,  which  resulted  in  the  organization 
of  a  mountain  patrol,  and  anyone  going  to  the  hermit's 
cave  the  next  morning  would  have  found  its  ap- 
proaches watched  by  eagle  eyes  in  hunter's  guise. 

Thus  we  leave  the  fugitive  prince,  who  had  at  last 
found  a  perfect  refuge,  where  he  could  bide  his  time 
without  fear  of  molestation. 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  203 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

THE  spirit  of  rebellion  among  the  Tezcucans  was 
now  thoroughly  aroused,  and  never  did  agitators 
meet  with  greater  success  than  had  those  who  were 
working  under  the  direction  of  tzin  Euet.  The  secret 
councils,  which  were  to  constitute  the  army  of  re- 
sistance to  Maxtla's  despotic  rule,  sprang  into  existence 
so  rapidly  as  to  surprise  even  the  conspirators  them- 
selves. With  these  encouraging  conditions  the  time 
arrived  when  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  locate  the 
prince,  and,  if  possible,  communicate  with  him.  As 
the  royal  representative  of  his  people,  it  was  felt  that 
he  should  be  informed  of  the  progress  which  had  been 
made  in  his  favor ;  and  also  be  consulted  with  reference 
to  the  future  movements  of  his  friends  in  the  valley. 
This  duty  very  naturally  from  the  tzin's  peculiar  posi- 
tion and  relation  to  the  fugitive  devolved  upon  him, 
and  his  next  move  was  to  be  in  the  direction  of  the 
mountains  in  search  of  him. 

The  prince's  friends  were  assured  by  the  continued 
silence  of  the  Tepanec  soldiery  that  he  was  still  at 
large,  and  hidden  somewhere  in  the  mountains  ;  for  his 
capture  or  death  at  their  hands  would  have  been 
quickly  heralded  throughout  the  valley. 

As  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  the  fugitive's 
hiding  place  was  unknown  to  the  tzin,  in  starting  out 
to  find  him  he  would  have  to  be  guided  in  a  great 


204  A   PRINCE    OF   AN  AH  U  AC. 

measure  by  reports  coming  through  the  enemy.  Not- 
withstanding this  was  the  ease,  he  felt  confident  of 
success  and  was  eager  to  be  on  the  move.  He  was 
just  now  waiting  for  Cacami  to  come  in  from  his  home, 
where  he  had  gone  to  visit  with  his  people.  As  his 
young  compatriot,  who  had  become  his  closest  friend, 
was  to  accompany  him,  the  time  of  starting  on  the 
expedition  depended  on  his  return. 

#  g  $  $  :£  £  $  Jfe  £ 

It  was  the  day  of  all  days  in  the  city  of  Tezcuco,  as 
was  a  similar  one  in  all  the  cities  of  the  valley :  the 
people's  market  day.  And  here  let  us  digress  long 
enough  to  aquaint  the  reader  with  the  exigencies 
which  rendered  such  a  day  necessary;  and  also  to 
briefly  notice  some  of  its  features. 

The  business  methods  of  the  Anahuacans  were  pe- 
culiar. They  had  neither  shops  nor  stores  of  a  public 
character  where  goods  of  any  description  were  dis- 
played and  sold.  Only  on  the  tianguez — great  square, 
or  market-place—  which  every  city  possessed,  were  the 
products  of  the  country  exhibited  for  barter  or  sale. 

The  trades  were  not  carried  on  in  the  ordinary  way, 
but  each  particular  mechanical  pursuit  was  localized 
in  some  suitable  portion  of  the  city  and  placed  under 
the  supervision  of  a  chief;  and,  it  may  be  added,  had 
its  tutelary  god  and  attendant  celebrations. 

Their  merchants,  who  were  usually  very  wealthy, 
might  better  be  termed  merchant  traders.  They  were 
itinerant  in  character,  and  did  a  transient  business, 
moving  through  the  country  at  the  head  of  a  caravan, 
composed  of  tamanes  (burden-bearers)  and  an  adequate 
guard  for  protection.  They  visited  the  larger  cities  to 
be  present  at  the  weekly  fairs,  market  days,  which 


A   PRINCE  OF  ANAHUAC. 

were  conducted  on  a  colossal  scale  in  the  great  square, 
the  city's  tianguez.  On  these  occasions,  which  occurred 
regularly  once  a  week  (a  week  in  the  chronological 
reckoning  of  the  Anahuacans  consisted  of  five  days), 
every  branch  of  industry  was  represented  separately 
in  suitably  arranged  booths ;  and  both  great  and  small, 
from  far  and  near,  were  present  to  buy  or  sell,  or  more 
frequently  to  exchange  their  produce  and  wares  for 
needed  articles  of  consumption. 

Here  was  an  individual  who  talked  persuasively  of 
the  superior  finish  and  beauty  of  his  jewelry — it  was 
not  necessary  to  speak  of  its  genuineness,  for  spurious 
goods  were,  presumably  unknown  to  the  natives;  a 
condition  which  no  doubt  existed,  because  of  the  un- 
limited supply  of  genuine  raw  material,  and,  we  may 
add  further,  owing  to  the  severe  penalties  prescribed 
for  fraudulent  impositions  on  the  people.  Another  no 
less  glib  talker  exploited  in  appealing  voice,  and  flour- 
ished his  flaunted  featherwork  before  the  eyes  of  the 
swarming  multitude,  all  of  whom  delighted  in  this 
beautiful  but  expensive  luxury.  Others — dealers  in 
sacred  images  and  silver  and  earthenware,  makers  of 
furnishings  and  apparel,  and  last,  but  not  least,  the 
farmer,  with  his  products  of  the  soil,  all  bent  on  gath- 
ering in  the  cash,  which  consisted  of  quills  of  gold 
dust,  Ts  of  tin,  and  bags  of  cacao,  a  kind  of  money 
which  precluded  the  possibility  of  hoarding,  leading 
us  to  conclude  that  no  misers  had  a  place  among  the 
Anahuacans.  Blessed  money,  that  gave  no  encourage- 
ment to  the  avaricious ! 

The  tzin,  to  while  away  some  of  his  unemployed 
time,  which  was  beginning  to  hang  heavily  on  his 
bands,  had  come  upon  Tezcot's  tianguez,  and  stood 


206  A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC. 

silently  observing  the  peculiarities  and  movements  of 
the  people,  gathered  there  from  all  the  country 
around,  many  of  whom,  like  himself,  were  present  out 
of  curiosity,  though  the  purpose  of  nearly  all,  an  army 
in  numbers,  appeared  to  be  to  trade,  buy,  or  sell. 

While  thus  occupied  in  contemplating  the  wonders 
of  the  great  fair  and  its  heterogeneous  patrons,  his  at- 
tention was  attracted  by  a  pulling  at  his  mantle. 
Turning  quickly  to  learn  the  cause,  he  stood  face  to 
face  with  Oza,  the  prince's  attendant. 

"  Oza !  "  he  exclaimed.  "  Do  I  dream,  or  is  it  indeed 
you?" 

"  You  do  not  dream,  good  master  Euet.     It  is  Oza." 

"  How  is  it,  man,  that  you  are  here,  and  where  is 
your  master?"  quickly  inquired  the  tzin,  somewhat 
apprehensive. 

''  I  would  have  much  to  tell  you  to  answer  your 
question,"  said  Oza  in  reply ;  and  looking  around  upon 
the  crowd,  he  added  :  "  The  people  might  hear." 

"  True,  Oza.  We  will  find  a  more  suitable  place  to 
talk.  But  you  look  tired  and  hungry.  Have  you  had 
anything  to  eat  to-day  ?  " 

"  Only  a  little  in  two  days,  master." 

"  Follow  me,"  said  the  tzin,  leading  the  way  to  a  re- 
freshment stall,  where  food  was  procured  and  Oza's 
hunger  appeased.  When  this  was  done,  they  left  the 
tianguez  and  went  to  the  tzin's  boarding  place. 

"  Now,  Oza,"  said  he,  when  they  were  comfortably 
fixed  in  his  private  apartment,  "  tell  me  about  the 
prince,  and  why  you  are  here.  What  has  occurred  to 
cause  your  return  to  the  city?  Did  he  send  you?  " 

"No,  master  Euet;  the  prince  doesn't  know  I'm 
here,"  replied  the  servitor,  in  answer  to  the  tzin's  last 
question. 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  2OJ 

"  The  prince  does  not  know  you  are  here ! "  ex- 
claimed Euetzin  in  amazement.  "How  does  that 
happen  ?  Have  you  not  been  with  him  ?  " 

"  Yes,  master,  up  to  a  few  days  ago,  when  we  lost 
him  in  a  fight  with  the  soldiers." 

The  doubtful  character  of  Oza's  phraseology,  taken 
in  connection  with  his  unexpected  and,  as  yet,  unex- 
plained appearance  in  the  city,  was  sufficient  cause 
for  increased  apprehension  in  the  tzin's  mind  of  some 
serious  mishap  to  the  prince.  He  was  much  disturbed 
by  Oza's  clumsily  worded  reply,  and,  at  its  conclusion, 
exclaimed : 

"  Lost  him  ?  Do  you  mean  to  tell  me  that  the  prince 
has  been  killed  or  captured?" 

"No,  master  Euet;  not  so  bad  as  that,"  Oza  quickly 
rejoined.  "The  prince  got  away  all  right,  but  we 
couldn't  find  him  afterward." 

"  That  sounds  quite  differently,  and  relieves  me 
greatly,"  returned  the  tzin,  feeling  very  much  inclined 
to  scold  Oza  for  his  awkwardness  of  speech,  but  the 
man  was  only  a  slave,  and  better  could  not  be  ex- 
pected of  him.  "  Who  was  with  you  beside  the  prince 
when  the  soldiers  made  the  attack?"  the  tzin  then 
asked. 

"  Menke,  a  hunter." 

"  I  can  not  understand,  Oza,  how  the  prince  could 
evade  the  soldiers,  and,  also,  become  separated  from 
the  hunter  and  yourself,  unless  it  was  under  cover 
of  darkness,"  queried  the  tzin. 

"  It  was  dark,  master — away  in  the  night ;  the'hun- 
ter  was  taking  us  to  his  own  home,"  answered  the 
servant. 

"I  see,"  rejoined  Euetzin,  beginning  to  comprehend 


208  A    PRINCE   OF   AN  AH  U  AC. 

the  situation.  "  That  explains  the  matter  more  fully. 
You  said  you  could  not  find  the  prince.  Did  you 
make  much  of  an  effort  to  do  so?" 

"  Yes,  master ;  for  three  days  we  looked  for  him." 

"And  failing  to  find  him  you  returned  to  the  city?" 

"Yes." 

By  continuing  to  question  the  vassal  at  some  length, 
the  tzin  succeeded  in  eliciting  a  fairly  good  account  of 
Hualcoyotl's  experience  after  leaving  Zelmonco  villa, 
confirming,  in  the  one  instance,  Cacami's  supposition 
that  it  was  the  prince  he  rescued  from  the  Tepanec 
soldiers  on  the  highway.  In  concluding  he  asked: 

"  Could  you  conduct  us  to  the  place  where  the  sol- 
diers attacked  you?" 

"  Will  you  go,  master  Euet?  "  questioned  Oza,  omit- 
ting, in  his  eagerness,  to  answer  the  inquiry. 

"  That  is  our  present  purpose,"  was  answered. 

"  It  is  good ;  I  can  lead  you,"  quickly  responded  the 
delighted  vassal. 

"All  right,  Oza.  Your  return  to  the  city,  just  now, 
is  very  fortunate  for  us,  though  quite  the  reverse  for 
your  master,  for  it  makes  his  situation  still  more  des- 
olate and  trying.  It  relieves  us,  however,  of  a  perplex- 
ing quandary — the  matter  of  finding  the  locality  in 
which  he  is  hiding.  As  our  guide,  you  will  help  us 
out  of  that  difficult}',  and  put  us  into  position  to  enter 
upon  the  search  at  once.  That  is  an  advantage  we 
were  not  counting  on." 

After  a  moment's  pause,  having  noticed  the  desti- 
tute condition  of  the  servant,  he  continued: 

"Your  appearance,  Oza,  is  not  what  it  should  be ;  the 
attendant  of  a  prince  ought,  at  least,  to  be  clothed." 

Rising,  as  if  to  go,  he  went  on .- 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  2OQ 

"  I  will  go  at  once  to  look  after  your  needs.  In  the 
meantime  you  will  remain  in  my  apartment,"  on  say- 
ing which  he  withdrew,  and  returned  to  the  tianguez 
to  procure  the  necessary  articles  for  Oza's  apparel. 

Cacami  came  back  to  the  city  that  same  evening, 
and  Oza's  story  was  repeated  to  him.  Euetzin  also  in- 
formed him  as  to  the  course  he  had  decided  on  pursu- 
ing, since  a  definite  knowledge  of  the  prince's  where- 
abouts had  been  obtained. 

After  hearing  what  his  friend  had  to  impart,  and  be- 
ing asked  for  his  opinion,  Cacami  said : 

"Your  plan  is  good;  still,  I  think  there  is  a  better 
one.  Have  I  your  permission  to  make  it  known  to 
you?" 

"  Certainly,  Cacami ;  I  desire  that  you  will  speak 
freely ;  was  it  not  so,  I  should  not  have  asked  for  your 
opinion,"  was  the  assuring  reply. 

"  Oza  would,  no  doubt,  conduct  us  to  the  spot  where 
he  last  saw  his  master,  and,  if  necessary,  to  Menke's," 
he  proceeded  to  say ;  "  but,  tzin  Euet,  there  are  other 
considerations  to  be  taken  into  account,  which  make 
the  course  I  would  suggest  more  preferable.  If  I  get 
a  correct  impression  from  your  rehearsal  of  Oza's  re- 
port, the  prince's  disappearance  occurred  within  a  few 
leagues  of  the  mountaineer  Tezcot's  home,  a  man  with 
whom  I  had  the  satisfaction  of  spending  two  very 
pleasant  evenings  and  one  day  the  last  time  I  was  on 
the  mountains.  My  plan  would  be  to  go  directly  to 
Tezcot's.  If  the  prince  has  been  discovered  he  will, 
very  likely,  be  apprised  of  it ;  if  not,  he  can  give  us 
any  information  we  may  want,  for  he  knows  every 
mountaineer  on  that  range  and  every  foot  of  ground 
for  leagues  around ;  and,  by  the  way,  is  the  most  gen- 
erous of  hosts," 


2IO  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

"  Master,"  said  Oza  suddenly  and  eagerly,  interrupt- 
ing Cacami,  "  I  heard  Menke  speak  to  the  prince  about 
a  great  hunter  named  Tezcot." 

"  There,  tzin  Euet !  "  exclaimed  Cacami ;  "  that  cer- 
tainly strengthens  the  plausibility  of  my  plan.  Then 
think  of  the  fact  that  a  hospitable  reception  will  be 
given  us,  with  the  added  pleasure  of  meeting  two 
charming  maidens." 

"  Your  last  information,  O  Cacami,  commends  the 
course  you  propose  to  our  serious  consideration.  We 
will  go  directly  to  Tezcot's,  as  you  suggest,"  said  the 
tzin,  facetiously. 

The  point  of  destination  having  been  decided  upon, 
preparations  for  an  early  departure  were  begun  at  once. 
In  two  days  the  party  was  ready  to  start.  The  tzin 
and  Cacami  were  dressed  and  equipped  as  hunters, 
while  Oza,  in  fresh  attire,  after  a  good  rest  and  clean- 
ing up,  looked  like  another  person,  and  accompanied 
them  as  an  attendant.  Hunting  parties  were  a  com- 
mon, every-day  sight  on  the  streets  and  highways,  con- 
sequently their  appearance  in  leaving  the  city  attracted 
only  a  passing  notice.  They  stopped  at  the  villa,  on 
their  way  out,  to  refresh  themselves  and  say  good-by 
to  Teochma  and  Itlza.  We  will  not  pause  to  narrate 
what  transpired  there,  or  describe  the  parting,  except 
to  say :  Let  the  reader  imagine  a  mother's  deep  con- 
cern for  her  son ;  a  sister  and  sweetheart's  pale,  sad 
face  as  the  brother  and  lover  take  their  leave,  the  lat- 
ter showing  no  signs  of  the  feelings  which  fill  his 
breast,  save  those  which  Itlza  alone  is  permitted  to  see ; 
an  affectionate  waving  of  hands  as  the  young  men  go 
out  of  sight,  and  the  moments  of  sadly  thoughtful 
silence  which  follow. 


A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  211 

Almost  two  days  of  continued  walking,  much  of  the 
journey  over  a  rough  and  hilly  way,  found  Euetzin 
and  his  party  nearing  their  destination.  The  sun  of  the 
last  afternoon  seemed,  to  the  tired  wayfarers,  to  move 
reluctantly  away  from  the  meridian,  and  to  finally  ap- 
proach, at  a  snail's  pace,  the  western  horizon.  Time 
may  appear  to  pass  quickly  or  slowly,  yet  it  is  un- 
changeable, and  Old  Sol,  its  mighty  keeper,  marks, 
with  unerring  regularity,  the  recurring  periods  of 
morning  and  evening.  So,  on  this  day,  the  latter 
came  in  due  season,  and  with  it,  stealing  softly  over 
the  scene,  the  gray  and  sombre  light  which  precedes 
the  slowly  falling  night-shades  in  the  mountains,  fol- 
lowed by  the  inharmonious  and  strikingly  dismal 
croaking  of  the  multi-vociferous  heralds  of  night, 
rising  from  mountain  pools  and  gorges,  with  an  added 
gloom  from  the  doleful  notes  of  the  whippoorwill. 
Such  were  the  last  hours  and  ending  of  the  journey, 
which  our  friends  had  accomplished,  when  Cacami 
suddenly  exclaimed : 

"  We  are  through  at  last,  for  yonder  house  is  the' 
mountaineer's  home." 

Then,  falling  behind,  he  continued : 

"  You  take  the  lead,  tzin  Euet,  and  make  such  in- 
quiries as  may  please  you." 

They  soon  stood  before  the  hunter's  dwelling,  and 
the  tzin,  passing  under  the  porch,  was  met  at  the  door 
by  Mitla,  who,  in  answer  to  his  inquiry  if  that  was 
Tezcot's,  said : 

"  Yes,  this  is  Tezcot's.     Will  you  come  in  ?  " 

"  We  will,  if  refreshments  may  be  obtained,"  he  re- 
plied. 

"  Our  evening  meal  is  now  being  prepared.  When 
it  is  ready  you  will  be  welcome  to  share  it  with  us." 


212  A   f»RTNCE   OF  ANAHUAC. 

This  was  said  with  so  much  cordiality  that  Euetzin 
led  the  way  into  the  house  without  farther  question- 
ing. 

"  Cacami ! "  exclaimed  Mitla,  when  she  recognized 
him.  "  You  here,  and  allow  your  companion  to  ask 
if  this  is  Tezcot's?"  inquiringly.  "But,  I  see,  you 
wished  to  surprise  us.  Well,  at  any  rate,  I  am  glad 
to  bid  you  welcome,  and  your  companions  as  well." 

Cacami  presented  the  tzin,  formally,  who  was  struck 
with  wonder  and  astonishment  at  meeting,  under  such 
surroundings,  a  girl  so  bright  and  charming.  His 
feelings  would  have  been  very  different  had  he  known 
that  from  childhood  Mitla  had  been  schooled  by  the 
presence,  in  her  father's  home,  of  many  of  the  best- 
mannered  and  most  intelligent  men  of  the  Anahuac, 
who  came  to  the  range  on  excursions,  and  who  always 
made  it  a  point  to  have  a  meal,  if  nothing  more,  with 
Tezcot.  Ignoring  sentiment,  however,  he  proceeded 
at  once  to  the  prosecution  of  his  mission  by  inquiring 
if  the  hunter  was  at  home. 

"Yes,  I  am  here;  what  would  you  have  of  me?" 
answered  Tezcot  himself,  who  at  that  instant  entered 
the  room  through  an  inner  door. 

"  Meat  and  drink,  and,  in  addition,  important  in- 
formation," replied  Euetzin. 

"  Meat  and  drink  you  shall  have,  but  the  informa- 
tion will  depend  on  the  nature  of  it." 

At  this  moment  he  discovered  in  Cacami  his  former 
hunter  guest,  and  exclaimed  : 

"  Well,  well,  my  Tezcucan  friend ;  you  may  give  me 
a  prey  to  ocelotls  if  I'm  not  glad  to  see  you !  Your 
coming  here  at  this  time  augurs  well  for  me.  Who  are 
these,  your  companions?"  he  asked,  looking  first  at 
the  tzin  and  then  at  Oza. 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  213 

"  That  is  Euetzin,  better  known  as  tzin  Euet ;  and 
this  other  person,  Oza,  our  attendant,"  answered  Ca- 
cami,  designating  each. 

Tezcot's  countenance  fairly  shone  with  satisfaction 
and  pleasure  as  he  said,  addressing  Euetzin : 

"  Tzin  Euet,  I  am  very,  very  glad  to  meet  you  just 
now.  The  discovery  of  Cacami,  joined  to  your  inquiry 
for  important  information,  led  me  to  surmise  that  you 
might  prove  to  be  Euetzin  or  some  other  person  who 
would  meet  an  exigency  which  has  this  day  arisen ; 
and  I  am  more  than  gratified  to  learn  that  it  is  your- 
self. Oza's  presence  here  with  you  explains  your 
errand.  You  are  in  search  of  Hualcoyotl  ?  "  he  said, 
questioningly.  "  Your  arrival  at  my  house  to-night  is 
most  opportune,  for  it  makes  easy,  or  rather  relieves 
me  of,  an  important  and  perplexing  duty.  The  morn- 
ing's dawn  would  have  found  a  messenger  on  his  way 
to  Tezcuco  to  find  and  inform  you  of  the  prince's 
safety  ;  also  to  request  you  to  come  here  immediately." 

"  Are  we  to  understand  that  Hualcoyotl  is  safe,  and 
that  you  know  where  he  is?  "  interrupted  the  tzin. 

"  Yes,  I  know  where  he  is;  and  farther,  that  he  is 
safe  so  long  as  Maxtla  is  kept  in  ignorance  of  his 
hiding  place.  An  army  might  reach  him,  but  never  a 
band  of  soldiers." 

"  Your  information  is  most  cheering.  We  came 
here  thinking  you  might  know  something  of  him ;  and 
that  we  did  so  is  fortunate  indeed,"  replied  the  tzin; 
and  forgetting  for  the  moment  his  tired  condition  in 
his  desire  to  see  his  friend,  he  said :  "  With  your  per- 
mission we  will  go  to  him  at  once." 

"No,  not  to-night;  you  shall  see  him  to-morrow," 
replied  Tezcot  firmly.  "  At  present  he  is  needing  rest. 
I  would  not  disturb  him  at  such  an  hour." 


214  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

"You  say  well,  friend,  and  we  cheerfully  defer  to 
your  wisdom.  But  will  you  not  explain  how  the  prince 
came  to  be  so  well  secured  ?  " 

"  Yes,  after  supper,  which  I  see  is  waiting  for  us." 

After  disposing  of  their  equipments  the  young  men 
were  conducted  to  the  eating  room,  where  an  excellent 
repast  was  spread  for  them,  to  which,  after  ablution, 
they  did  ample  justice. 

During  the  meal  Mitla's  eyes  frequently  encountered 
those  of  the  tzin ;  and  as  often  as  they  did  she  felt  that 
subtle  influence,  call  it  magnetism,  if  you  please,  which 
impresses  itself  so  forcibly  and  mysteriously  upon 
the  susceptible  mind,  awakening  suddenly  and  un- 
consciously feelings  that  may  be  described  by  only 
one  little  word.  So  it  was  in  this  supreme  moment 
with  Mitla,  when  for  the  first  time  she  stood  face  to 
face  with  her  fate. 

In  the  conversation  which  followed  during  the  meal 
Euetzin  addressed  her  several  times,  and  was  so  well 
pleased  with  her  charming  manner  that  he  resolved  to 
know  her  better. 

When  the  meal  was  finished  the  men  were  recon- 
ducted  to  the  family  room,  where  Tezcot  proceeded  to 
give  an  account  of  the  prince.  He  related  what  he 
knew  of  his  experience  after  becoming  separated  from 
Menke  and  Oza,  up  to  the  time  of  his  concealment  by 
Mitla  under  the  pile  of  chia-plant,  which  resulted  in 
saving  him  from  capture.  At  this  juncture  the  tzin 
became  intensely  interested,  and  when  he  fully  com- 
prehended the  invaluable  service  rendered  his  royal 
master  by  the  beautiful  girl,  he  interrupted  the  hunter 
by  saying : 

"  Your  daughter  did  that?  " 


A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  215 

"  Yes,  it  was  she  who  saved  the  prince  from  his  pur- 
suers," answered  he,  proud  of  his  favorite's  conduct. 

"  Noble  girl !  "  passionately  exclaimed  the  tzin.  "All 
loyal  Tezcucans  will  bless  her  name."  Then  to  the 
hunter,  earnestly :  "  As  the  nearest  friend  of  Hual- 
coyotl,  I  would  like  to  express  to  her  the  profound 
gratitude  of  a  Tezcucan.  Will  you  kindly  request  her 
to  come  here? " 

Tezcot,  appreciating  the  high  estimation  in  which 
Mitla's  conduct  was  regarded  by  a  Tezcucan  lord,  espe- 
cially by  the  first  friend  of  the  prince,  bade  her  come 
into  the  room  as  requested. 

Euetzin  rose  to  his  feet  as  Mitla  entered,  and,  look- 
ing admiringly  at  her,  said  : 

"  Your  father  has  just  informed  us  that  to  you  we 
are  indebted,  as  Tezcucans  and  friends  of  Hualcoyotl, 
for  his  continued  existence.  My  life  is  pledged  to  his 
service ;  the  hand  that  strikes  at  him  strikes  at  me ; 
the  hand  that  reaches  out  to  save  him  I  would  bless. 
As  the  rescuer  of  Hualcoyotl,  your  name  will  be  long 
and  kindly  remembered  by  Tezcucans  everywhere, 
and,  as  one  of  them,  I  would  here  and  now  express  to 
you  the  grateful  thanks  of  my  people ;  and  farther,  as 
a  pledge  of  my  sincerity,  I  desire  that  you  will  accept 
from  me  this  little  token,  a  souvenir  of  the  great 
service  you  have  rendered  a  deeply  stricken  nation, 
and  also  as  a  mark  of  my  personal  appreciation."  As 
he  concluded,  the  tzin  placed  in  her  hand  a  beautifully 
wrought  miniature  shield  of  gold,  on  which  were  en- 
graven the  armorial  emblems  of  the  royal  family  of 
Tezcuco.  It  was  a  highly  prized  keepsake  which  he 
had  long  carried  on  his  person,  and  it  required  more 
than  mere  sentiment  to  cause  him  to  part  with  it. 


2l6  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

While  Euetzin  was  speaking,  Mitla  stood  with  eyes 
cast  down,  but  when  he  was  done,  raised  them  to  his 
face.  A  glistening  moisture  was  seen  to  gather  on  her 
beautiful,  dark  lashes  as  she  said : 

"  Your  great  kindness  has  filled  my  heart  with  a 
strange  feeling.  My  tongue  refuses  to  utter  the  words 
I  would  speak.  I  can  only  thank  you  for  your  beauti- 
ful gift,  and  for  thinking  well  of  what  I  did  for  the 
prince." 

"  No  words  which  you  might  utter  would  add  to  the 
favor  and  esteem  to  which  you  are  entitled,  and  which 
you  will  have,  from  the  friends  of  Hualcoyotl,"  said  the 
tzin,  earnestly. 

Tezcot,  observing  the  embarrassment  under  which 
Mitla  was  placed,  motioned  for  her  to  withdraw,  which 
she  was  glad  to  do. 

The  account  of  the  prince's  rescue  was  continued  to 
a  conclusion,  and  the  young  men,  glad  of  an  opportu- 
nity to  lie  down,  were  disposed  of  for  the  night. 


A   PRINCE   OP  ANAHUAC.  2iy 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

MUNIFICENT  Old  Sol,  never  more  brilliant,  had 
covered  fully  half  his  ascending  course  from 
horizon  to  zenith,  when  Tezcot  led  the  three  Tezcu- 
cans  into  the  hermit's  cave. 

Ix's  deep  and  sombre-toned  voice,  always  a  source 
of  wonder  and  astonishment  when  heard  for  the  first 
time,  struck  the  tzin  and  his  companions  as  something 
marvelous,  coming,  as  it  did,  from  the  depths  of  the 
cavern,  in  answer  to  the  hunter's  signal. 

After  the  customary  salutations  between  the  hunt- 
er and  hermit,  the  former  requested  that  Hualcoyotl 
should  come  from  his  retreat,  which  he  promptly  did. 
He  was  permitted  to  look  the  party  over,  while  the 
hunter  addressed  him,  and,  designedly,  took  up  a  little 
time  in  apologizing  for  the  liberty  he  had  taken  in 
bringing  strangers  to  the  hermitage.  The  cavern's 
dim  light,  together  with  the  dress  worn  by  the  visit- 
ors, made  it  quite  impossible  for  the  unsuspecting 
prince  to  recognize  him.  When  Tezcot  realized  this 
fact  he  said : 

"  Euetzin,  salute  Prince  Hualcoyotl." 

The  tzin  stepped  forward  and  dropped  on  one  knee 
in  salutation. 

Hualcoyotl,  recovering  from  the  astonishment  which 
the  sudden  discovery  of  his  friend  caused  him,  ex- 
claimed : 


2i 8  A  PRINCE;  OF  ANAHUAC. 

"  Euetzin,  my  brother !  This  is,  indeed,  a  glad  sur- 
prise. Rise,  that  I  may  greet  you  as  an  equal — not 
as  a  vassal." 

The  tzin  arose  to  his  feet,  and  the  prince  embraced 
him  affectionately.  He  then  inquired  : 

"  Who  are  these  that  accompany  you  ?  " 

"  Oza,  salute  your  master,"  was  the  tzin's  response. 

"  Oza  here,  too  !  "  exclaimed,  again,  the  now  delight- 
ed prince.  "I  see  through  it  all,  Oza;  to  you  it  is 
that  I  am  indebted  for  this  most  happy  moment.  You 
have  my  blessing,  and  more — your  freedom,  from  this 
hour!" 

The  slave  had  prostrated  himself  before  his  master, 
who  now  bade  him  rise. 

"  I  would  not  be  free,  master,  if  it  will  take  me 
from  you,"  said  the  devoted  vassal,  in  reply. 

"  It  shall  not  take  you  from  me,  Oza,  except  to  per- 
mit you  to  march  with  the  army  of  liberation.  You 
shall  be  an  honored  soldier." 

The  moment  was  a  happy  one  for  the  ever  faithful 
slave,  and  the  change  in  his  condition  would  only 
make  him  a  more  willing  servitor. 

"Here,  O  Prince,  is  a  friend  whom  you  will  be 
pleased  to  greet,  I  am  sure ;  for  in  him  you  see  Cacami, 
the  hunter,  who  delivered  you  from  the  Tepanec  sol- 
diers on  the  highway,"  said  Euetzin,  turning  to  his 
friend,  who  stood  waiting  to  be  presented. 

Cacami  saluted  the  prince!  who,  in  return,  gave  him 
a  cordial  greeting,  and  said  : 

"  Yes,  Euetzin,  I  am  more  than  pleased  to  know 
and  greet  the  valiant  hunter  Cacami ;  for  it  is  a  hope 
realized,  an  opportunity  I  have  truly  wished  for.  More 
than  gratitude  is  due  from  us  to  him,  and  when  we  are 


A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  2 19 

in  position  to  requite  his  service  he  will  find  us  not 
unmindful  of  the  fact." 

Passing  over  Cacami's  reply,  except  to  say  that  he 
deprecated  an  allusion  to  the  occurrence,  which  he  re- 
garded as  a  very  little  thing  for  him  to  do,  and,  with 
the  presentation  of  the  party  to  the  hermit,  who  found 
in  the  occasion  another  opportunity  in  which  to  be 
profoundly  impressive,  we  leave  the  friends  to  engage 
in  explanations  and  consultation,  and  return  to  Tez- 
cot's. 

Mitla  was  not  so  bright  as  was  her  wont,  all  through 
the  morning  hours.  She  was  inclined  to  avoid  con- 
versation, and  sought,  more  than  was  her  practice,  to 
be  alone.  After  the  mid-day  meal  she  took  her  archer's 
outfit  and  sauntered  off  along  the  plateau,  around  the 
mountain.  She  was  heedless,  alike  of  time  and  dis- 
tance. Her  bow  was  seldom  brought  into  use.  A 
parrot  or  pheasant  seemed  to  have  no  attraction  for  her. 
In  one  or  two  instances,  however,  when  the  mark  was 
so  conspicuous  that  the  attention  of  a  less  interested 
person  would  have  been  drawn  to  it,  she  let  go  an  ar- 
row with  good  effect,  but  showed  no  animation  at  the 
result ;  she  was  manifestly  distrait. 

The  afternoon  wore  on,  and  Mitla  was  far  from  home 
ere  she  took  account  of  where  she  was,  or  the  distance 
she  had  gone.  She  was  in  the  act  of  facing  about  to 
retrace  her  steps  when  she  noticed,  for  the  first  time, 
three  men  approaching  from  the  opposite  direction. 
She  did  not  wish  to  meet  them,  and,  turning,  walked 
briskly  in  the  direction  from  which  she  had  come. 
She  did  not  look  back  for  fear  of  attracting  their  atten- 
tion, but,  gradually  increasing  her  step,  hastened  home- 
ward. The  first  intimation  she  had  that  the  men  were 


220  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

following,  with  a  view  to  overtaking  her,  was  when 
one  of  them  called  : 

"  Not  so  fast,  pretty  maiden ;  we  would  keep  you 
company." 

Mitla  turned  quickly,  in  surprise,  and  discovered 
that  the  men  had  nearly  overtaken  her. 

Three  Tepanec  soldiers,  not  more  than  a  dozen  steps 
away,  showing  a  menacing  disposition,  was  a  sight  to 
strike  terror  to  the  stoutest  woman's  heart.  Mitla  was 
terribly  frightened  at  seeing  them,  and  her  heart  in- 
stantly leaped  into  her  throat.  There  was  not  a  house 
within  a  mile  of  where  she  was,  and,  if  the  men  medi- 
tated harm  to  her,  her  situation  was  indeed  alarming. 
Her  bow  could  hardly  be  deemed  a  means  of  defense 
against  the  soldiers,  who  were  now  close  upon  her. 
What  should  she  do?  was  a  question  that  called  for 
prompt  decision.  She  was  quick  of  foot  and  in  vigor- 
ous health  ;  she  might  get  away  from  them  by  running. 
It  was  worth  trying.  From  the  impulse  of  the  thought 
she  gave  a  bound  forward,  and  shot  away  from  her 
menacing  pursuers  like  a  frightened  fawn.  The  sol- 
diers immediately  entered  on  a  determined  chase,  and, 
to  her,  it  now  became  a  run  for  self-preservation. 
She  kept  up  well  for  a  short  distance,  and  then  began 
to  flag.  The  shock  from  her  fright,  together  with  the 
awful  sense  of  dread  which  filled  her  heart,  unnerved 
her,  and  a  growing  weakness  followed.  She  thought  of 
her  friends :  if  some  of  them  were  only  near  to  come 
to  her  relief!  But  they  were  not,  and  her  heart  sank 
lower  and  lower.  By  an  occasional  glance  over  her 
shoulder  she  could  see  that  her  pursuers  were  rapidly 
closing  the  intervening  distance  between  them,  and 
would  surely  overtake  her.  It  was  a  terrible  moment 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  221 

to  the  fleeing  maiden,  who  was  naturally  courageous 
and  brave  under  ordinary  circumstances,  but,  in  her 
present  desperate  dilemma  she  became  an  impotent, 
helpless  thing,  about  to  sink  to  the  earth  from  ex- 
haustion. The  foremost  soldier  was  within  an  arm's 
length  of  her,  and  in  another  moment  she  would  be  at 
their  mercy. 

When  the  hunters'  chief  and  his  Tezcucan  com- 
panions returned  from  the  hermit's  cave,  about  the 
middle  of  the  afternoon,  the  first  thought  of  the  tzin 
was  of  Mitla.  On  being  informed  that  she  had  gone 
around  the  mountain,  presumably  to  do  some  shoot- 
ing, he  determined  to  go  in  search  of  her.  He  saw  in 
the  circumstance  an  opportunity  to  further  his  ac- 
quaintance, which  he  would  not  fail  to  improve.  He 
accordingly  threw  his  hunting  outfit  across  his  back, 
and  started  off  in  the  direction  she  had  gone. 

Quite  a  distance  had  been  covered  by  the  tzin  when 
his  attention  was  attracted  to  a  beautiful  golden 
pheasant  which  flew  into  the  wood  just  ahead  of  him. 
He  turned  aside  to  get  a  shot  at  it,  hoping  to  secure  it 
for  Mitla.  It  escaped  him,  however,  and,  disappointed, 
he  returned  to  the  plateau.  As  he  emerged  from  the 
bushes  he  was  startled  and  horrified  at  what  he  saw. 
Only  a  few  steps  away  Mitla  was  struggling  to  free 
herself  from  the  hands  of  the  Tepanec  soldiers,  who 
had  only  just  overtaken*  and  seized  her.  The  tzin  was 
upon  them  in  an  instant,  and,  sending  an  arrow  into 
one  and  his  javelin  at  another,  they  were  quickly 
made  to  desist.  His  sword,  which  he  carried  more  as 
a  weapon  of  defense  than  to  be  used  in  the  pursuit  of 
game,  was  raised  to  strike,  but  before  he  could  use  it 


222  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

the  villains  drew  off.  He  could  not  follow  them ;  for 
when  Mitla  was  released  she  staggered,  and  would 
have  fallen  to  the  ground  had  he  not  caught  her  in  his 
arms,  thus  saving  the  miscreants  from  his  deadly 
maquahuitl,  Mitla  had  swooned,  and  he  could  only 
vent  his  indignation  and  wrath  in  words.  He  ex- 
claimed : 

"  Beasts,  ocelotls,  in  the  guise  of  soldiers !  Were  I 
free  to  do  it,  I  would  punish  you  as  you  deserve.  Go, 
if  you  would  escape  a  just  retribution  for  your  iniqui- 
tous conduct." 

One  of  the  soldiers  was  badly  wounded,  and  they 
were  only  too  glad  to  get  away,  knowing  they  merited 
all  the  punishment  and  denunciation  Euetzin  had 
meted  out  to  them ;  and  more — should  they  fall  into 
the  hands  of  the  mountaineers,  they  would  be  sum- 
marily dealt  with.  They  did  not  wait  to  be  addressed 
the  second  time,  but  moved  off  as  rapidly  as  they  could 
with  the  wounded  man  to  look  after. 

It  was  some  minutes  before  Mitla  recovered  suffi- 
ciently to  free  herself  from  the  tzin's  arms.  During 
the  time  of  her  unconsciousness  he  used  every  con- 
venient means  known  to  him  to  restore  her,  and  suc- 
ceeded very  well  in  his  efforts.  When  he  saw  that  she 
was  conscious,  he  inquired : 

"  Have  you  received  personal  injury?" 

Mitla  answered  by  a  shake  of  the  head,  at  the  same 
time  giving  him  a  look  of  trustful  helplessness.  The 
look  spoke  more  than  words  could  have  expressed, 
and  told  how  grateful  she  was  for  the  deliverance  his 
coming  had  brought  her,  from  a  fate  too  terrible  for 
contemplation. 

When  Euetzin  s   support  was   no  longer   required, 


A   PRINCE    OP   ANAHUAC.  223 

he  conducted  her  to  a  place  where  she  could  be  seated, 
and  waited  for  her  to  speak.  After  a  moment's  pause 
she  turned  her  eyes,  beaming  with  gratitude,  full  upon 
him,  and  said  : 

"It  is  now  Mitla's  turn  to  be  grateful.  If  I  have 
done  aught  to  place  a  debt  upon  the  prince,  or  his 
friends,  you  have  paid  it  a  hundredfold.  I  shall  never 
cease  to  regard  you  as  my  preserver  from  a  fate  against 
which  death  would  be  a  welcome  deliverance." 

"  Any  true  man,  in  my  place,  would  have  done  the 
same  for  you,"  he  answered.  "  I  am  entitled  to  no 
especial  gratitude  for  doing  my  duty,  I  would  assure 
you.  Because  I  happened  to  be  here  at  the  right 
moment  to  rescue  you  from  the  hands  of  those  vil- 
lainous soldiers,  the  act  should  not  make  a  hero  of 
me." 

He  spoke  jocularly,  hoping  to  impart  cheerfulness 
by  a  cheerful  manner. 

"  Your  words  do  not  affect  the  sense  of  obligation 
which  fills  my  heart,  and  that  it  is  so  I  am  glad,  for 
I  could  not  be  generous  were  I  ungrateful,"  she  re- 
turned, still  deeply  affected. 

"  I  shall  certainly  bear  in  mind,  with  no  little  satis- 
faction, Mitla,  that  I  have  earned  a  place  in  your  re- 
membrance. Let  that  suffice  to  reward  me  for  the 
service  done,  and  think  no  more  about  it,"  he  replied, 
endeavoring  to  dispose  of  the  matter  by  depreciation, 
in  which  he  failed,  for  Mitla  said : 

"  I  am  sure  you  are  generous..  Will  you  not,  then, 
permit  me  to  be  so,  too  ?  Would  you  have  me  stifle 
the  feeling  which  fills  my  heart — the  feeling  of  im- 
measurable gratitude  which  goes  out  to  you,  my  de- 
liverer?" 


224  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

Her  eyes  shone  with  intense  brightness  as  she  spoke, 
showing  how  deep  were  the  fires  of  passion  in  her  na- 
ture, which  only  required  stirring  to  become  irre- 
sistible. The  passionate  vehemence  with  which  her 
words  were  uttered  was  affective.  The  tzin  was  hu- 
man, though  a  young  man  with  the  profoundest  sense 
of  right ;  for  the  nonce,  however,  he  allowed  himself 
to  yield  to  impulse,  and  replied  to  her  impassioned 
appeal  with  the  warmth,  almost,  of  a  lover : 

"  I  am  reproved.  I  would  not  that  you  stifle  one 
generous  impulse  of  your  peerless  woman's  heart.  I 
shall  not  soon  forget  the  glowful  expression  which 
but  now  lighted  up  your  beautiful  face — so  earnestly 
fixed  in  kindness  upon  me.  The  recollection  of  it 
will  be  an  ever-present  reminder  of  the  noble  girl  I 
rescued  from  peril,  and  whose  friendship  I  shall  al- 
ways prize." 

For  these  words  she  bent  on  him  an  expression 
which  carried  with  it  more  than  gratitude.  It  recalled 
him  to  himself,  and  he  discovered,  all  too  late,  that 
he  had  said  too  much.  He  was  honorable  in  a  high 
degree,  and  held  it  a  discreditable  act  to  encourage 
in  a  maiden  a  sentiment  he  could  not  fully  recipro- 
cate. Her  passionate  utterances  had  caused  him,  for 
the  moment,  to  forget  his  conscientiousness,  and  he 
overstepped  the  bounds  of  propriety.  He  was  not  in 
position  to  play  the  role  of  lover,  and,  recalling  what 
he  had  said,  he  became  greatly  disturbed. 

A  silence  ensued,  until,  present^,  Mitla  moved  as 
if  to  rise,  which  the  tzin  anticipated  by  lifting  her  to 
her  feet.  She  was  sufficiently  recovered  to  go  home, 
and,  leaning  on  the  arm  of  her  escort,  she  was  con- 
ducted from  the  scene  of  her  terrible  struggle  with 
the  villainous  Tepanec  soldiers. 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  225 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

A  WEEK  had  elapsed  since  the  tzin  and  his  party 
arrived  at  Tezcot's  so  opportunely,  much  of 
which  time  had  been  spent  at  the  cavern  in  formulating 
plans  and  instructions  for  the  direction  and  govern- 
ment of  the  prince's  friends,  in  the  operations  which 
would  follow  Euetzin's  return  to  the  valley. 

The  final  consultation  had  been  held,  and  the  instru- 
ments of  authority,  which  made  the  tzin  the  accredited 
representative  of  Hualcoyotl,  were  in  his  possession ; 
and  Cacami  and  he,  it  was  decided,  \vould  start  for  the 
scene  of  their  future  labors  the  next  day,  leaving  Oza 
to  attend  his  master. 

The  blessings  of  the  gods  had  been  invoked  upon 
the  young  men  and  the  cause  they  were  engaged  in 
promoting ;  a  final  leave  had  been  taken  of  the  prince 
and  hermit,  and  they  were  now  at  Tezcot's  waiting  for 
the  advent  of  to-morrow  to  speed  them  on  their  way  to 
Tlacopan,  their  first  point  of  destination. 

It  was  in  the  last  hour  of  day — an  hour  on  the  moun- 
tains which  brings  with  it  a  peculiar  sense  of  subdued- 
ness — that  Euetzin  and  Mitla  strolled  away  from  the 
house  to  find  a  spot  where  they  could  be  alone  for  a 
short  time  to  have  a  final  talk  before  his  departure, 
which  he  purposed  taking  at  an  early  hour  the  next 
morning. 

After  the  adventure  with  the  Tepanec  soldiers,  when 


226  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

the  tzin  inadvertently  allowed  himself  to  say  more 
than  he  should  have  said,  he  was  very  careful  to  avoid 
giving  further  encouragement  to  Mitla's  evident  regard 
for  him ;  matters,  therefore,  had  not  progressed  in  that 
direction  to  any  appreciable  extent. 

"  Has  it  been  well  with  my  friend,  to-day? "  he  in- 
quired casually,  by  way  of  saying  something  as  they 
sauntered  along  together. 

Mitla  glanced  up  at  her  companion  doubtfully  with 
her  large,  full  eyes,  looking  very  sorrowful.  Friend  is 
a  very  cold  sounding  word  when  applied  by  a  loved 
one  to  the  one  who  loves,  and  thus  it  sounded  to  her, 
coming  from  Euetzin. 

"  Yes,  it  has,  thanks  to  you,  my  preserver,"  she  an- 
swered dispiritedly.  She  could  not  forget  for  a  mo- 
ment, when  in  his  presence,  the  great  service  he  had 
rendered  her.  Thoughts  of  it  seemed  to  dispossess  all 
else  in  her  mind,  and  she  continually  referred  to  it  in 
their  conversations.  Her  voice,  sad  and  low,  attracted 
Buetzin's  notice,  and,  looking  at  her,  he  caught  her 
eyes  as  they  were  raised  to  his  seemingly  almost  ready 
to  weep,  and  he  said  concernedly : 

"  You  are  not  happy ;  your  eyes  look  too  sadly  ap- 
pealing for  that.  Are  you  in  trouble  ?  " 

"  My  eyes  reflect  the  sadness  which  is  in  my  heart." 
She  could  say  no  more ;  and  the  tears  were  seen  to 
start,  which  she  tried  to  conceal,  but  could  not. 

"  Why,  Mitla,  you  are  surely  ill !  Why  do  you 
weep?"  the  tzin  asked  solicitously. 

"Can  you  not  guess?  Is  it  not  enough  to  sadden 
my  heart  to  know  that  you  are  going  away,  perhaps 
never  to  return  ?  "  was  her  tearful  reply. 

"Am  I,  indeed,  so  much  to  you  that  my  going  should 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  227 

affect  you  thus?"  he  asked,  not  only  surprised,  but 
deeply  moved  by  her  evident  distress. 

"  You  will  never  know,  because  you  can  not  realize  it, 
how  much  you  are  to  her  whose  honor  you  preserved 
inviolate.  I  will  never  see  you  again ;  it  is  for  this 
that  my  heart  is  filled  with  sadness  and  my  eyes  with 
tears,"  she  said  sorrowfully. 

Coming  to  a  little  shaded  mound  they  sat  down,  and 
the  tzin  said : 

"  When  I  am  gone  you  will  soon  forget,  and  only 
remember  me  as  the  friend  of  Hualcoyotl."  Her 
answer  to  this  was  a  reproachful  look.  An  expression 
of  pain  passed  over  her  countenance,  and  her  eyes 
suddenly  became  suffused  again  with  tears.  Euetzin 
saw  that  her  feelings  were  deeply  wounded  by  his 
words,  and,  taking  her  hand,  he  hastened  to  say,  re- 
pentantly : 

"  I  have  hurt  you  by  my  careless  expression.  May 
I  not  recall  my  words,  and  assure  you  of  my  great 
sorrow  for  having  spoken  them?  I  will  come  again, 
if  only  to  learn  more  of  the  beautiful  mountain  girl 
who  holds  for  me  so  much  of  kindly  feeling.  Yes,  I 
will  come  again.  You  will  forgive  me  now,  I'm  sure, 
for  having  caused  you  pain."  He  spoke  rapidly,  and 
his  voice  grew  almost  impassioned  in  his  earnestness. 

A  happy  smile  lit  up  the  weeping  Mitla's  face,  for 
she  read  in  the  tzin's  fervent  manner  that  he  was  not 
wholly  indifferent  toward  her.  She  said  in  reply : 

"  If  you  have  said  aught  for  which  forgiveness  might 
be  asked,  you  are  forgiven.  I  am  a  foolish  girl,  Euetzin, 
to  weep  and  laugh  almost  in  the  same  moment.  But 
I  can  not  help  it :  your  words  give  me  pain  or  joy,  just 
as  they  impress  me.  I  am  a  child;  do  not  mind  me," 
she  replied  meekly. 


228  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

The  tzin  saw  that  the  girl's  gratitude,  which  was 
very  great,  had  changed  to  love,  a  love  that  knows  no 
bounds,  and  he  was  greatly  troubled.  It  was  by  no 
means  displeasing  to  him,  for  he  was  a  man ;  yet,  he 
felt  it  to  be  most  inopportune.  In  the  few  days  he  had 
been  at  Tezcot's  Mitla  had  won  his  profound  respect — 
possibly  more,  which  he  was  not  ready  to  admit — and 
he  was  truly  sorry  that  he  was  compelled  to  go  away 
so  soon.  There  was  something  about  the  beautiful 
mountain  girl  which  pleased  and  charmed  him ;  and  it 
was  with  difficulty  he  restrained  himself  from  giving 
vent  to  feelings  in  which  he  felt  he  could  not  afford  to 
indulge  ;  still,  notwithstanding  his  efforts  to  refrain 
from  doing  so,  he  had  once  or  twice,  and  but  now, 
permitted  his  feelings  to  get  the  better  of  him.  He 
was  not  sure,  therefore,  of  his  disinterestedness :  the 
feelings  with  which  he  regarded  her,  he  thought,  might 
be  awakening  love,  or  might  prove  to  be  only  fancy. 
He  would  wait  and  see  before  committing  himself. 
But  what  of  Mitla's  loving  heart,  should  it  prove  to  be 
the  latter?  This  was  the  thought  which  gave  him 
pain,  and  which  would  have  much  to  do  with  moulding 
the  impressions  which  would  move  him  later. 

The  tzin's  promise  that  he  would  come  again  had  a 
cheering  effect  upon  Mitla,  and  she  became  quite 
animated. 

After  a  half  hour  of  more  cheerful  conversation  they 
went  back  to  the  house,  one  of  them,  at  least,  feeling 
much  brighter  for  their  talk. 


The  sun  had  just  dropped  behind  the  western  hori- 
zon ;  that  conscious  impress  of  loneliness  which  affects 


A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  22Q 

the  mind  in  the  twilight  of  evening,  especially  in  the 
open  county,  was  beginning  to  pervade  not  only  the 
animate,  but  the  inanimate.  The  animals  showed  by 
their  actions  that  they  felt  it;  so,  also,  did  the  fowls 
and  birds,  by  seeking  their  accustomed  roosts.  The 
unwonted  stillness  of  the  leaves,  the  drooping  of  the 
flowers,  the  gentle  purling  of  the  running  brook,  and 
the  placid  surface  of  the  lake's  waters,  all  gave  evi- 
dence of  the  near  approach  of  Nature's  resting  time. 

Two  men,  hunters,  from  their  appearance,  were 
trudging  along  the  highway,  going  in  the  direction  of 
Tlacopan,  which  lay  just  ahead  of  them.  The  tired 
motion  of  their  limbs — of  one  of  them,  at  least — accord- 
ed well  with  the  silent  voice  around  them,  and  told, 
in  language  mute  but  distinct,  how  welcome  to  them 
would  be  the  rest  which  comes  with  the  night. 

In  those  travel-worn  pedestrians  we  would  have 
recognized  the  young  Tezcucans,  Euetzin  and  Cacami, 
Who  Were  nearing  the  end  of  their  return  journey  from 
the  mountains,  which,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  tzin 
was  a  slow  traveler,  had  taken  nearly  two  full  days  to 
accomplish.  Their  destination,  as  has  been  intimated, 
was  Tlacopan,  which  they  were  making  strenuous 
efforts  to  reach  before  dark. 

"You  are  much  the  better  traveler,  Cacami,"  the 
tzin  was  saying.  "  While  my  steps  are  flagging,  yours 
are  light  and  firm.'  " 

*  "  You  have  not  been  trained,  like  myself,  to  physical 
toil ;  to  work  the  ground  for  bread,  and  climb  the  hills 
in  quest  of  meat.  Yours  has  been  a  life  of  seclusion, 
and,  I  might  add,  luxury — a  life  which  little  fits  one 
for  enduring  long  journeys,"  replied  Cacami. 

"That  is  true,"  returned  the  tzin.     "However,  our 


230  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUACX 

journey  will  soon  be  ended,  and,  with  a  good  night's 
rest  in  Tlacopan,  the  morning  will  find  us  fresh  as 
ever." 

The  city  of  Tlacopan,  with  its  grand  teocallis,  mag- 
nificent palace,  and  ample  tianguez — of  the  latter  more 
will  be  said  later — and  other  objects  of  interest,  has 
long  since  disappeared  from  the  earth,  and  in  its  stead 
now  stands  Tacuba,  an  unimportant  Mexican  village. 
The  city  of  Tlacopan,  in  the  "  Golden  Era"  of  Ana- 
huac,  was  the  capital  of  a  small  tribe  of  people  who 
were  kindred  to  the  Tepanecs,  but  not  in  accord  with 
them.  Mac-u-a,  the  ruling  prince,  stood  high  among 
the  nations,  and  was  thought  worthy  to  be  associated 
with  the  greatest.  The  city  was  situated  about  two 
leagues  southwest  of  Tenochtitlan,  off  from  the  lake, 
high  and  dry,  and  was  constructed,  chiefly,  of  stone, 
which  was  convenient  and  abundant. 

At  the  time  of  the  conquest  its  people  had  become 
a  part  of  the  great  empire  of  the  Aztec  monarch,  Mon- 
tezuma,  and  subsequently  became  absorbed  in  the  race 
revolution  which  wiped  away  all  distinction  between 
the  native  tribes,  resulting  in  the  present  mixed  and 
degenerate  race  condition  of  to-day  in  Mexico. 


The  reckless  disregard  of  the  rights  of  others  by 
the  emissaries  of  Maxtla,  and  the  new  king's  evident 
purpose  to  extend  his  empire  by  conquest  and  subju- 
gation, as  his  father  before  him  had  done,  so  alarmed 
some  of  the  lesser  ruling  caciques  that  a  coalition,  for 
self-defense  and  a  better  security,  was  being  seriously 
considered  by  them,  and  a  secret  council  had  been  de- 
termined on. 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  231 

The  times  were  propitious  for  the  cause  of  Tezcuco. 

The  tzin's  object  in  visiting  Tlacopan  at  this  time 
was  to  have  audience  with  Macua,  and,  if  possible, 
effect  an  alliance  with  him.  He  was  not  yet  aware  of 
the  uneasy  feeling  which  had  been  aroused  by  Maxtla's 
conduct,  for  the  disquieted  chiefs  were  very  close- 
mouthed  in  such  matters ;  yet  he  believed  the  king  of 
Tlacopan  would  not  be  unfavorable  to  an  alliance,  if  he 
could  be  convinced  of  the  advantage  which  would  ac- 
crue from  such  a  step. 

Thus  circumstanced,  the  tzin's  visit  to  Tlacopan  just 
now  could  only  be  considered  a  venture  in  the  line  of 
his  mission. 

The  day  following  their  arrival  in  the  city  found 
Euetzin  and  his  companion  early  at  Macua's  palace, 
seeking  admission  to  his  presence.  In  due  time  they 
were  gratified  by  being  conducted  to  his  audience 
chamber. 

The  presence  of  the  pseudo  hunters  in  the  hall, 
showing  so  great  a  dissimilarity  in  their  manners  and 
dress,  caused  quite  a  flurry  of  speculation  and  com- 
ment. Hunters,  as  a  rule,  were  not  a  cultivated  class ; 
and  the  marked  exception  to  the  common,  in  the  case 
of  our  friends,  was  so  plainly  shown  that  the  attention 
of  those  present  was  attracted  to  them. 

Macua,  king  of  Tlacopan,  was  a  young  man  of  pleas- 
ing address,  who  was  highly  regarded  by  his  subjects. 
He  was  easily  approached,  and,  though  firm  in  his  pur- 
poses, was  kindly  disposed.  He  received  the  strangers 
very  cordially,  and,  when  informed  that  they  desired  an 
audience  with  him,  said  : 

"  We  will  hear  what  you  have  to  say,  but  ask  that 
you  will  be  brief,  for  our  time  is  much  occupied." 


232  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHTAC 

"  The  king  of  Tlacopan  is  very  gracious,"  spoke  the 
tzin,  with  an  obeisance.  "  What  we  have  to  say  must 
be  communicated  in  the  presence  of  Macua,  the  king, 
and  his  chief  counselor,  alone.  Will  it  please  your 
majesty  to  hear  us?  " 

"Your  communication  must  be  of  very  great  im- 
portance, indeed,  to  require  a  proceeding  so  unusual  as 
a  private  audience,"  replied  Macua,  a  little  severely. 

"  It  is  a  matter  of  not  only  great  but  grave  impor- 
tance, of  which  we  desire  to  speak,  and  it  should  be 
communicated  privately  to  the  king,"  returned  Euetzin 
with  dignity. 

"  Such  being  the  case,  if  you  will  wait  the  departure 
of  our  subjects  you  shall  have  private  audience,"  the 
king  answered,  urbanely. 

"  Macua,  the  king,  is  most  generous.  We  will  wait," 
said  the  tzin,  saluting  him  and  turning  away  to  be  con- 
ducted to  a  seat. 

When  the  king's  business  with  his  vassals  was  dis- 
posed of  he  dismissed  his  advisors,  excepting  his  chief 
counselor,  a  man  of  advanced  years,  and,  addressing  the 
tzin,  said : 

"  We  are  ready  to  hear  what  you  have  to  say ;  pro- 
ceed." 

"  Before  your  majesty  are  two  Tezcucans — Cacami 
and  Euetzin.  Macua,  the  king,  has  no  doubt  heard 
of  Hualcoyotl,  our  prince,  whose  life  Maxtla,  the  Te- 
pauec  monarch,  seeks  to  destroy,"  said  the  tzin,  pausing 
for  a  reply. 

"  Yes ;  we  have  heard  of  the  young  prince,  who  is 
now  a  fugitive,"  the  king  answered,  looking  wonder- 
ingly  at  Euetzin,  and  in  turn  waited  for  him  to 
proceeed. 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  233 

"  We  are  friends  of  Hualcoyotl  and  Tezcuco.  We 
desire  that  the  emissaries  of  Maxtla  be  driven  from  our 
city  and  country,  and  that  Hualcoyotl  be  put  upon  the 
throne  of  his  fathers.  To  accomplish  this,  Tezcuco 
must  have  help  from  other  states.  We  appear  before 
you,  O  King,  as  the  representatives  of  Hualcoyotl, 
seeking  friendship  and  coalition."  Spoken  with  due 
deference  and  self-respect. 

"  What  assurance  can  you  give  that  you  are  friends 
and  representatives  of  Hualcoyotl  ?  "  questioned  the 
king. 

"  Relying  on  the  honor  of  your  majesty,  we  offer  as 
evidence  of  our  truthfulness  this  writing.  Will  you 
examine  it?"  replied  the  tzin,  handing  to  the  king  a 
paper  which  was  covered  with  hieroglyphics.  Macua 
received  and  scrutinized  it  carefully,  then  passed  it  to 
his  chief,  who  also  examined  it.  After  a  short  con- 
sultation between  king  and  counselor  the  former  said : 

"  We  are  satisfied  that  you  are  Tezcucans,  and  that 
you  come  from  Hualcoyotl,  or  some  other  person  who 
has  been  highly  honored  by  our  knightly  order.  Can 
you  inform  us  as  to  the  number  of  soldiers  Tezcuco 
can  furnish  in  the  event  of  a  coalition?" 

"  There  is  an  army  of  men  in  the  valley,  composed 
principally  of  Tezcucans,  who  are  waiting  to  be  led 
against  the  Tepanec  king,  numbering  twice  that  of 
Tlacopan,"  replied  Euetzin,  confidently. 

"  How  know  you  that?  "  asked  Macua,  with  a  shade 
of  resentment  in  his  voice. 

"  When  Tlacopan  has  shown  her  willingness  to  join 
Tezcuco  in  a  war  with  Maxtla  of  Azcapozalco,  the 
proofs  of  what  we  declare  shall  be  placed  in  Macua's 
hands,"  rejoined  the  tzin,  decisively. 


234  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

"  The  friend  of  Hualcoyotl  is  shrewd.  It  is  well. 
The  matter  shall  have  consideration.  When  the  fifth 
sun  is  on  its  upward  course,  if  you  will  come  again, 
you  shall  have  our  answer,"  said  the  king. 

"  How  may  we  be  assured  that  Macua  will  be  faith- 
ful to  the  confidence  which  we  have  reposed  in  him?" 
asked  the  tzin,  with  the  object  of  securing  some  pledge 
from  the  young  king. 

"  By  the  kingly  honor  of  Macua,  and  this,"  he 
answered  haughtily,  handing  the  tzin  a  ring  on  which 
was  the  king's  sign  of  distinction,  the  possession  of 
which  made  the  holder  an  accepted  embassador,  and 
gave  him  a  pledge  which  the  tzin  well  knew  would  be 
respected. 

The  position  and  person  of  an  embassador  wras 
sacredly  regarded  among  the  nations  of  Anahuac. 
"  They  were  lodged  and  entertained  in  the  great 
towns,"  says  the  historian,  "  at  the  public  charge,  and 
were  everywhere  received  with  courtesy,  so  long  as 
they  kept  within  certain  prescribed  bounds."  The 
king's  signet  was,  therefore,  a  passport  to  the  tzin  in 
any  part  of  Macua's  kingdom,  securing  him  the  hos- 
pitality of  the  people,  and  free  entertainment ;  it  was 
not  his  purpose,  however,  to  take  advantage  of  it.  The 
signet  was  to  him  only  a  pledge  of  Macua's  faith. 

On  receiving  the  ring  Euetzin  said  : 

"  The  king's  pledge  is  more  than  satisfactory  to  the 
friends  of  Hualcoyotl.  When  the  fifth  sun  is  on  its 
upward  course  we  will  come  for  Macua's  answer,  and 
bring  with  us  proofs  of  what  Tezcuco  can  do."  This 
ended  the  interview,  and,  saluting  his  majesty  very 
profoundly,  the  young  men  withdrew. 

The  tzin  was  well  pleased  with  the  result  of  his 


A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  235 

audience  with  Macua,  and  was  much  encouraged  by  it. 
He  felt  certain  that  he  was  about  to  secure  an  im- 
portant ally  for  Hualcoyotl  in  the  king  of  Tlacopan, 
and  went  about  his  business  with  the  added  stimulus 
of  a  stronger  confidence. 

Euetzin  had  much  to  engage  his  attention  in  the 
time  which  would  intervene  before  the  advent  of  the 
day  fixed  for  the  second  meeting  with  Macua.  He 
decided  first  of  all  to  visit  a  few  of  the  chief  cities  for 
the  purpose  of  securing  data  from  which  to  proceed  in 
carrying  out  the  prince's  instructions;  and  also  to 
enable  him  to  present  an  approximate  estimate  of  Tez- 
cuco's  undiscovered  but  existent  oath-bound  hosts  to 
the  king  of  Tlacopan,  in  support  of  his  declaration. 
Also  to  offer  a  word  of  explanation  and  encouragement 
to  his  coadjutors. 

After  calling  on  the  leading  Tezcucans  in  Macua's 
capital,  he  and  Cacami  crossed  over  to  Tenochtitlan. 


236  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

THE  continued  good  fortune  of  the  prince  in  evad- 
ing capture  was  a  source  of  great  annoyance  and 
aggravation  to  the  evil  disposed  Maxtla.  He  was  daily 
becoming  more  violent  and  overt  in  his  conduct,  ruling 
with  an  arbitrary  hand.  He  had  terrorized  his  house- 
hold, and  the  sound  of  his  voice  was  sufficient  to  cause 
a  flurry  of  trepidation  to  agitate  its  members.  His 
subjects  regarded  him  with  fear  and  trembling,  and  his 
comportment  toward  his  weaker  neighbors  was  a  grow- 
ing menace.  His  soldiers  seemed  to  partake  largely  of 
his  evil  tendencies,  for,  in  their  search  after  Huacolyotl, 
they  became  a  dread  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  valley 
and  surrounding  country  in  consequence  of  their  fla- 
grant and  atrocious  acts. 

After  weeks  of  determined  but  unsuccessful  efforts 
to  secure  the  person  of  the  prince,  Maxtla  decided  on 
a  council  with  his  advisers  over  the  matter,  and  they 
were  accordingly  ordered  to  assemble  in  the  council 
chamber.  The  subject  was  duly  considered,  but  with- 
out any  definite  conclusion.  As  was  customary,  when 
a  question  of  so  much  importance  proved  unsolvable 
by  the  council,  the  oracles  ( high  priests )  were  called 
upon  for  a  solution  of  the  matter,  which  resulted  in 
their  declaring  that  the  gods  were  favoring  the  fugitive 
prince  as  against  the  king,  and  must  be  propitiated. 
Agreeably  to  this  decision,  an  early  day  was  fixed  for 


A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  237 

the  sacrificial  ceremony  which  was  to  mollify  the  wrath 
of  the  particularly  offended  deities,  and  the  priests 
were  instructed  to  have  ready  the  necessary  number  of 
victims  for  the  occasion. 


The  temples  {teocallis}  of  the  ancient  Mexicans, 
which  were  numerous,  were  peculiar  structures,  usually 
rising  in  pyramidal  form  to  various  heights,  depending, 
doubtless,  on  the  importance  attached  to  the  presiding 
deities  which  they  represented  and  to  whom  they  were 
dedicated.  They  were  constructed  solidly  of  earth,  in- 
cased around  with  stone,  or  blocks  of  clay,  which  were 
hardened  by  some  peculiar  process  of  their  own.  The 
structure  usually  consisted  of  several  stories — as  many 
as  four  or  five — each  of  which  rose  twenty  or  more 
feet,  terminating  at  a  terrace  of  accommodating  width, 
which  extended  clear  around  the  temple.  Four  or  five 
of  these  terraces  carried  the  structure  up  as  much  as  a 
hundred  feet,  culminating  in  a  broad,  flat,  paved  area, 
on  which  were  situated  the  sanctuaries  of  the  gods,  and 
in  which  a  great  sculptured  image  of  each  was  placed. 
In  front  of  each  sanctuary  was  an  altar,  whereon  the 
sacred  fire  was  kept  constantly  burning,  and  which, 
not  infrequently,  was  stained  with  human  blood. 

Near  the  altars  stood  the  sacrificial  block  on  which 
the  victim  was  immolated  in  the  horrible  and  sicken- 
ing act  of  tearing  the  heart  from  the  breast  and  laying 
it  on  the  altar  as  a  conciliatory  offering  to  the  offended 
deity,  while  the  organ  was  still  pulsating. 

The  terraces  were  gained  by  steps  on  the  outside, 
leaning  at  an  angle  with  the  wall,  which  inclined  to- 
ward the  center. 


238  A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

The  ceremonies  were  always  public,  and  from  the 
situation  at  the  summit  were  to  be  viewed  from  any 
part  of  the  city. 

The  processions  engaged  in  by  the  priests — a  mul- 
titude in  themselves,  winding  their  way  as  many  times 
as  there  were  terraces  around  the  great  teocalli,  from 
base  to  summit — were  impressive  spectacles,  at  which 
the  people  were  expected  to  be  present  as  witnesses ; 
and,  as  one  author  has  said,  since  a  ceremony  of  some 
sort  occurred  almost  every  day,  it'is  difficult  to  under 
stand  how  the  ordinary  business  of  life  could,  under 
such  conditions,  go  on. 

The  day  appointed  by  Maxtla  for  the  propitiating  of 
the  gods  was  ushered  in  by  the  sound  of  the  doleful 
drum.  The  people,  who  were  assembled  by  thousands, 
arrayed  in  their  most  gorgeous  attire — when  arrayed 
at  all — filled  the  city's  public  places.  A  religious  chant, 
accompanied  with  dancing  and  contortions  of  the  body, 
and  a  representation  of  minstrelsy,  in  a  multiplication 
of  weird  noises,  was  begun  and  continued  throughout 
the  procession  and  ceremony. 

One  by  one  the  victims  were  led  or  borne  to  the 
sacrificial  block,  and  if,  perchance,  they  paused  upon 
the  area  of  the  temple's  summit,  their  anointed  bodies, 
which  were  shielded  only  by  a  girdle  about  the  loins, 
glistened  in  the  sun's  intense  light — a  mollifying  spec- 
tacle for  Aztec  gods. 

When  the  ceremony  had  progressed  to  that  point 
when  all  the  bloodthirstiness  which  such  sights  must 
surely  beget  in  the  savage  mind  had  taken  possession 
of  the  witnesses,  a  thought  seemed  to  occur  suddenly 
to  Maxtla,  who  was  a  delighted  spectator  of  the  bloody 
carnival,  and  he  exclaimed : 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  239 

"  Bring  hither  Itzalmo,  the  traitorous  friend  and 
counselor  of  Hualcoyotl,  and  prepare  him  for  the  sac- 
rifice. Let  him  die  for  the  appeasing  of  the  gods." 

The  prison-keeper,  who  had  charge  of  Itzalmo's  dun- 
geon, took  the  necessary  assistance  and  proceeded  to 
execute  the  order  of  the  king. 

When  the  dungeon  to  which  Itzalmo  had  been  con- 
signed was  reached  by  the  prison-keeper  and  his  as- 
sistants, the  door  was  thrown  open,  and  they  entered 
to  secure  the  prisoner,  but  a  surprise  awaited  them 
which  they  wrere  not  anticipating — the  cell  was  empty ; 
Itzalmo  was  not  there. 

The  prison-keeper  was  speechless  with  amazement 
at  the  discovery,  and,  on  contemplating  the  conse- 
quences to  himself  of  the  prisoner's  escape,  became 
horrified  at  the  thought  of  the  fate  which  certainly 
awaited  him.  He  returned  to  the  presence  of  the  king, 
fully  realizing  the  awful  strait  in  which  the  situation 
put  him.  Prostrating  himself  at  Maxtla's  feet,  he  cried 
out,  in  accents  of  despair : 

"  Woe  is  come  to  thy  servant,  O  King,  and  he  is  un- 
done ;  for  Itzalmo,  the  prisoner,  is  gone  !  He  has  fled 
his  prison  cell." 

Maxtla  looked  for  a  moment,  in  menacing  silence, 
on  the  prostrate  man  before  him,  his  face  becoming, 
as  he  did  so,  livid  with  rage.  When  he  spoke,  his 
accents  were  inhuman — demoniacal. 

"Miserable  dotard !  "  he  exclaimed.  "  Thy  cowardly, 
cringing  body  is  fit  only  for  sacerdotal  hands.  A  heart 
for  a  heart  it  shall  be — not  Itzalmo's,  but  thine,  shall 
fall  to-day,  to  assuage  the  offended  gods.  Take  him 
hence  to  the  block,  and  let  his  blood  condone  his 
offense."  Thus  did  the  keeper  of  Itzalmo's  dungeon 
become,  innocently,  the  victim  of  Maxtla's  ferocity. 


240  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

The  sacrificial  ceremony  was  at  last  concluded.  The 
sanguinary  rites,  in  compliance  with  the  demands  of 
the  offended  deities,  had  been  formally  observed,  and 
Maxtla,  according  to  the  declarations  of  the  oracles, 
was  thereby  restored  to  favor.  The  assembled  multi- 
tude dispersed,  self-satisfied  with  its  part  in  the  bloody 
festival,  and  quiet  once  more  prevailed  in  Azcapozalco. 

Maxtla  was  not  a  man  to  be  thwarted  in  his  designs 
without  a  supreme  effort  to  accomplish  them.  Itzalmo 
had  escaped,  but  the  whole  Tepanec  empire  should  be 
called  to  the  support  of  the  king,  that  his  purposes 
might  be  made  good.  Pursuant  to  this  end  an  edict 
was  issued,  to  the  effect  that  Itzalmo  was  outlawed, 
and,  furthermore,  his  delivery  to  the  Tepanec  authori- 
ties, dead  or  alive,  would  be  amply  rewarded. 

Unfortunately  for  Maxtla,  in  his  purpose  to  not  only 
retake  Itzalmo,  but  to  discover  his  abettors,  who,  if 
taken,  would  suffer  equally  with  the  escaped  prisoner, 
he  had,  in  sacrificing  his  prison-keeper,  removed  the 
only  person  who  might  have  found  a  clue  to  the  party 
concerned  in  the  liberation.  By  his  destruction  the 
security  of  the  liberators,  if  not  Itzalmo 's,  was  assured. 


When  it  was  learned  by  the  friends  of  Itzalmo,  who 
were  members  of  the  king's  retinue,  and  who,  during 
his  imprisonment,  had  looked  well  to  his  comforts,  that 
a  sacrifice  to  the  gods  was  contemplated,  they  became 
alarmed  for  his  safety,  and  at  once  set  about  arranging 
for  his  escape.  The  necessary  preparations  were  ef- 
fected, and  the  night  prior  to  the  day  on  which  the 
sacrifice  was  to  take  place  was  fixed  upon  as  the  time 
to  deliver  him  from  his  imprisonment. 


A  PRINCE   OP  ANAHUAC.  241 

Agreeably  to  arrangements,  about  the  hour  of  mid- 
night two  men  entered  the  passage  which  led  to  the 
stairway  down  which  they  had  to  go  to  be  on  the  same 
ground  as  was  Itzalmo's  dungeon.  They  were  not  un- 
acquainted with  the  locality,  and  quickly  gained  the 
avenue  leading  to  the  cell.  One  of  the  party  carried  a 
lighted  taper,  which  greatly  facilitated  their  move- 
ments. When  the  cell  was  reached,  the  fastenings 
were  removed  and  the  door  thrown  open.  As  it 
swung  back  on  its  hinges,  one  of  the  party  inquired : 

"Are  you  ready,  Itzalmo?" 

"Yes,  I  am  ready.  Lead  on,"  he  answered,  and 
walked  forth  a  free  man  once  more. 

When  he  was  outside  of  the  dungeon  the  fastenings 
were  replaced,  and  the  party  moved  silently  and  cau- 
tiously to  the  stairway,  and  up.  Here  the  taper  was 
extinguished,  making  their  progress  from  this  point 
necessarily  very  slow.  They  finally  emerged  upon  the 
narrow  court  at  the  rear  of  the  palace,  and  from  there 
into  the  great  inclosed  court,  where  one  of  the  con- 
ductors turned  aside,  leaving  the  other  to  accompany 
Itzalmo  alone. 

Leaving  the  great  court,  Itzalmo  and  his  conductor 
came  out  onto  a  wide  street,  feeling  somewhat  appre- 
hensive as  to  the  outcome  of  their  undertaking.  The 
city  was  thoroughly  policed  by  the  soldiers  of  the 
king,  who  were  supposed  to  be,  without  exception,  his 
adherents.  However,  Itzalmo  was  a  stranger  to  all  of 
them,  whether  friends  or  foes,  which  was  greatly  in  his 
favor. 

The  old  Tezcucan's  friends  had  taken  the  precaution 
to  furnish  him  with  a  suit  of  priestly  attire,  making  it 
an  easy  matter  to  offer  a  pretense  for  being  on  the 


242  A   PRINCE   OP   ANAHUAC. 

street  at  so  unseasonable  an  hour.  Under  such  condi- 
tions the  liability  of  detection  was  greatly  lessened. 

The  avenues  of  the  royal  city  being  broad  and  ex- 
tensive, Itzalmo  and  his  conductor  could  hardly  expect 
to  travel  them,  even  at  the  late  hour  of  midnight,  with- 
out being  discovered,  and,  in  all  probability,  stopped. 
So  the  bold  plan  of  moving  nonchalantly  through  the 
streets  was  adopted. 

An  exhibition  of  nonchalance  does  not  always  indi- 
cate unflinching  bravery,  and  is  never  assumed  by  a 
brave  man,  except  as  a  means  to  an  end. 

Though  men  of  the  dare-devil  stamp,  who  are  non- 
chalant, and  appear  to  be  careless  of  consequences, 
may  not,  under  such  circumstances  as  surrounded  the 
old  Tezcucan  and  his  escort,  feel  in  any  degree  appre- 
hensive, it  is  not  always  the  result  of  true  courage,  but 
more  often  lack  of  consideration.  Such  men  are  not 
to  be  classed  in  any  sense  with  the  conscientious,  con- 
siderate man,  who,  anxious  and  expectant,  steps  into 
the  unexplored  and  doubtful  breach,  uncertain  as  to 
what  awaits  him  there — the  man  who,  realizing  that 
danger,  and  perhaps  death,  may  be  just  ahead,  sets 
hard  his  teeth,  and,  with  paling  cheek,  goes  bravely 
forward  to  meet  it.  The  latter  is  the  man  who  wins 
battles,  and,  if  needs  be,  dies  a  hero,  while  the  former 
far  too  often  proves  himself  a  blustering  braggart,  who, 
when  death  stalks  forth,  forgets  all  else  save  his  own 
safety,  and  ignominiously  becomes  a  turn-tail. 

We  have  seen  Itzalmo,  with  dauntless  courage,  face 
the  tyrant  Maxtla,  the  most  cruel  and  heartless  man  in 
all  the  Anahuac;  still,  he  was  not  a  dare-devil,  but  a 
conscientious,  unswerving  friend,  who  could  die  in  the 
performance  of  a  duty,  as  only  such  men  can.  His 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  243 

courage,  however,  was  not  a  feelingless  one.  His 
heart,  no  doubt,  beat  quicker,  while  his  face  grew  less 
florid ;  yet,  in  the  consciousness  of  well-doing,  and  the 
strength  of  an  unyielding  faithfulness,  he  was  capable 
of  heroic  action. 

When  the  distance  of  about  two  squares  had  been 
gone  over,  they  were  challenged  by  the  demand : 

"  Who  goes  there  at  this  late  hour?  " 

"A  priest  and  escort,  on  their  way  to  visit  the  sick," 
was  the  quick  reply. 

"Ah,  Melca,  is  that  you  ?"  questioned  the  guard, 
who  recognized  an  acquaintance  in  the  voice  of  Itzal- 
mo's  companion. 

"  Yes,  it  is  me,"  he  answered.  "  I  am  seldom  out  at 
this  hour,"  apologetically,  "  but  the  call  of  a  friend  in 
distress  must  needs  be  answered,  even  though  it  be  at 
midnight." 

The  escort  was  not  a  little  disturbed  at  his  sudden 
recognition  by  the  guard,  though,  on  second  thought, 
saw  security  in  Itzalmo's  perfect  disguise.  The  old 
man  made  a  venerable  representative  of  the  character 
he  had  assumed,  which  the  soldier  could  easily  dis- 
cern in  the  semi-darkness;  and  as  great  reverence 
for  that  class  of  citizens  was  generally  entertained, 
there  was  hardly  a  possibility  of  detection.  After  a 
brief  scrutiny  of  the  priestly  appearing  Itzalmo,  the 
guard  said : 

" It  is  well,  Melca.  Pass  on;  and  may  your  friend 
find  consolation  from  your  visit." 

Since  he  had  succeeded  without  difficulty  in  deceiv- 
ing an  acquaintance,  Melca  was  assured  that  they 
would  have  no  trouble  in  passing  out  of  the  city,  and 
so  it  proved.  They  met  with  several  guards,  who 


244  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

readily  passed  them  along  when  informed  of  the  mis- 
sion they  were  on.  Thus  they  got  safely  beyond  the 
city's  limits  and  out  into  the  country,  where  a  consul- 
tation was  held  as  to  where  they  should  go. 

It  was  wisely  concluded  to  keep  away  from  Tezcuco, 
as  it  would  undoubtedly  be  the  first  place  visited  by 
the  emissaries  of  Maxtla  in  their  search  for  the  con- 
demned Itzalmo.  They  decided,  accordingly,  to  get 
out  of  the  tyrannical  king's  dominions  as  quickly  as 
possible,  and  seek  concealment  in  some  secluded  local- 
ity. A  road  leading  to  the  south,  along  the  western 
border  of  the  lake,  was  taken  and  followed  until  Tlaco- 
pan  was  reached,  where  a  stop  of  one  day  was  made  to 
give  Itzalmo  a  resting  spell ;  after  which  they  went  on 
around  the  lake  until  they  came  to  a  small,  isolated 
hamlet,  situated  on  the  lake's  border,  among  the  trees 
which  grew  there,  and  by  which  it  was  almost  hidden, 
where  the  old  man  found  refuge  with  some  loyal  coun- 
trymen, with  whom  we  leave  him  for  the  present,  in 
company  with  Melca,  his  escort,  who  decided,  after 
being  recognized  by  the  guard,  that  it  might  not  be 
safe  for  him  to  return  to  Azcapozalco. 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  245 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

S~\  NE  night  and  a  day  in  Tenochtitlan  found  Euetzin 
V_y  and  Cacami  ready  to  proceed  to  some  other  point, 
they  having  effected  the  object  of  their  visit  to  the 
Mexican  capital. 

The  tzin  had  laid  out  to  spend  one  night  at  home  ; 
and,  as  Tezcuco  must  necessarily  be  visited  in  his  short 
tour  of  inquiry,  it  was  decided  to  go  to  Zelmonco  first, 
and  from  there  to  the  city.  Their  plan  was  to  cross 
the  lake  to  a  small  village  which  was  situated  about 
two  leagues  and  a  half  south  of  Tezcuco,  and  go  from 
there  to  the  villa,  which  would  save  time,  distance,  and 
a  walk  of  one  league,  as  compared  with  their  going  to 
Tezcuco  by  one  of  the  barks  which  plied  regularly  be- 
tween the  two  great  cities  for  the  purpose  of  transport- 
ing persons  and  merchandise. 

There  is  sufficient  ground  for  believing  that  traffic 
between  Tenochtitlan  and  other  cities  on  Lake  Tez- 
cuco was  carried  on  at  that  time  exclusively  by  canoes, 
and  it  is  not  an  unreasonable  thing  to  suppose  that  it 
was  done  systematically,  and  with  a  view  to  gain. 

So,  in  the  afternoon  of  the  day  following  their  arrival 
at  Tenochtitlan,  Euetzin  and  his  companion  secured 
the  services  of  a  boatman  to  row  them  across  to  the 
little  town.  It  was  quite  a  pull  for  the  boatman  and 
his  one  assistant,  for  the  distance  was  between  three 
and  four  leagues.  The  trip  was  made,  however,  in 


246  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

time  for  our  friends  to  reach  Zelmonco  just  at  dusk  of 
evening.  We  will  not  undertake  to  describe  the  meet- 
ing which  followed  their  arrival  at  the  villa.  It  is 
sufficient  to  say  that  it  was  a  happy  one,  and  that  the 
evening  was  passed  by  the  reunited  family  and  their 
guest  in  a  most  agreeable  manner. 


Cacami  was  an  early  riser,  and  usually  up  with  the 
sun.  The  morning  following  his  coming  to  Zelmonco 
was  not  an  exception  in  his  commendable  habit;  he 
was  out  in  the  park  betime,  enjoying  the  invigoration 
which  the  first  hour  of  the  day  imparts.  The  morn- 
ing's breath  was  most  delightful,  too,  loaded  as  it  was 
with  the  exhalations  of  a  thousand  buds  and  flowers. 

The  time  and  conditions  were  especially  favorable 
for  thought ;  particularly  to  a  man  affected  as  he  was. 
Itlza  had  not  been  out  of  his  mind  for  a  moment  dur- 
ing his  absence,  except  when  important  matters  were 
in,  or  when  he  was  sleeping,  and  not  always  then. 
When  in  the  presence  of  Mitla  and  her  vivacious  young 
sister  a  pair  of  laughing  eyes  continually  rose  up  be- 
fore him,  reminding  him  of  one  who  seemed  to  exer- 
cise an  influence,  even  in  her  absence,  which  made  him 
almost  negligent  of  the  hunter's  daughters.  Euetzin, 
knowing  nothing  of  the  attachment  which  his  com- 
panion had  formed  for  his  sister,  thought  it  very 
strange  that  the  young  fellow  should  be  so  indifferent 
to  the  charms  of  the  mountain  girls — Mitla  especially ; 
and,  yet,  away  down  in  his  heart  the  tzin  experienced 
a  sense  of  relief  and  gratification  that  such  was  the 
case. 

Believing  that  a  suitable  opportunity  would  reveal 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  247 

the  fact  that  his  hopes,  which  Itlza's  actions  at  their 
last  meeting  had  quickened,  were  well  founded,  Ca- 
cami  heartily  wished  that  one  might  arise  before  the 
hour  for  his  departure  should  come  around. 

In  pursuing  his  solitary  stroll  through  the  park  he 
came  to  the  oak  tree  by  the  fountain,  and  had  paused 
for  a  moment  to  contemplate  upon  the  pleasant  sur- 
roundings. He  had  only  been  there  once  before ;  yet, 
the  spot  was  endeared  to  him  because  of  his  meeting 
with  Itlza  on  that  occasion.  Recalling  the  felicitous 
event  his  eyes  lingered  fondly  on  the  rustic  seat,  where 
she  had  sat  and  looked  down  upon  him  with  her 
beautiful,  laughing  eyes,  as  he  reclined  on  the  ground 
almost  at  her  feet.  He  remembered  the  pledge  of 
silence  she  had  exacted  of  him,  which  he  felt  was  no 
longer  binding  since  the  episode  of  the  flower-heart, 
the  trend  of  which  he  had  rightly  interpreted.  Feeling 
thus,  he  resolved  to  renew  his  wooing  at  the  first 
offered  opportunity.  While  he  stood  indulging  in  his 
retrospective  reverie,  he  was  suddenly  made  aware  of 
the  approach  of  someone.  Turning  to  see  who  it  was, 
he  discovered,  to  his  delight,  the  charming  Itlza  com- 
ing toward  him  from  the  villa. 

It  was  a  supreme  moment  to  the  very  much  en- 
thralled Cacami ;  the  culmination  of  his  most  cherished 
desires  were  reached  when  he  beheld  the  idol  of  his 
thoughts  advancing  toward  him.  Nothing  could  have 
happened  so  perfectly  in  accord  with  the  conditions — 
his  feelings,  the  hour  and  its  alluring  train  of  exquisite 
delights —  as  Itlza's  unexpected  but  longed  for  advent 
upon  the  scene.  He  waited  her  approach  with  a 
pleased  sense  of  expectation,  for  he  saw  in  her  coming 
the  opportunity  he  had  only  just  been  wishing  for.  He 


248  A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

greeted  her  with  a  delight  to  which  he  gave  full  ex- 
pression, both  in  manner  and  voice.  He  said : 

"  You  come,  O  Laughing-eyes,  to  add  by  your  pres- 
ence the  crowning  joy  to  a  splendid  morning  stroll, 
which  I  have  had." 

'•  I  shall  be  pleased  if  my  coming  out  will  add  to  the 
pleasure  of  your  ramblings,  which  are  just  a  little  too 
early  to  agree  with  my  habits,"  she  answered,  with  a 
sparkling  eye  and  smiling  face.  He  looked  admiringly 
at  her  and  said  : 

"  The  air  at  such  a  time  and  in  such  a  place  is  always 
delightfully  fragrant.  To  drink  of  its  sweetness  is  a 
pleasure  no  one  should  fail  to  enjoy,  not  excepting 
the  leisured  Laughing-eyes." 

"  Yes,  it  is  a  pleasure ;  but  what  an  effort  some  of  us 
would  have  to  make  to  gain  it.  Then,  oft  repeated,  it 
loses  much  of  its  charm,"  she  replied,  and,  continuing, 
inquired:  "How  long  have  you  been  out  in  the 
park  ?  " 

"  For  more  than  an  hour  I  have  been  strolling 
among  the  shrubs  and  flowers ;  but,  delightful  as  the 
beautiful  park  is,  there  was  one  thing  wanting  to  make 
it  perfect:  one  flower  which  I  did  not  find — the 
loveliest  that  blooms  at  Zelmonco ;  it  was  not  there," 
he  said,  fixing  on  her  a  look  which  plainly  revealed 
his  meaning.  She  returned  the  look  with  one  express- 
ing comprehension,  and  answered,  jestingly : 

"  You  came  out  too  soon  to  find  the  flower  you  are 
pleased  to  think  so  lovely ;  it  does  not  bloom  so  early." 

"  It  has  bloomed  but  now ;  and  I  am  more  than 
happy  to  find  it  here,"  he  said,  taking  her  hand  and 
leading  her  to  a  seat  at  the  foot  of  the  oak  tree.  With 
her  hand  still  resting  in  his  he  continued :  "  Do  you 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  249 

remember,  Laughing-eyes,  our  tryst  on  this  love- 
inspiring  spot,  which  seems  to  me  so  very  long  ago, 
and  like  a  dream?" 

"Yes,  I  remember;  and  more,"  she  answered,  look- 
ing up  at  him  archly,  while  she  continued :  "  I  re- 
member that  you  gave  me  a  promise,  Cacami,  which  I 
fear  you  are  about  to  forget."  This  rejoinder  was 
uttered  insinuatingly,  and  accompanied  by  a  coquettish 
side  glance.  Cacami,  believing  that  the  words  were 
intended  to  be  convertible,  put  his  own  construction 
on  them,  and  said : 

"  I  do  not  forget,  Laughing-eyes,  but  only  remember 
my  promise  now  as  a  thing  of  the  past,  and  no  longer 
binding  upon  me.  The  flower-heart,  and  the  voice  of 
the  little  love-bird  singing  through  your  beautiful  eyes, 
which  came  to  me  that  day,  when  Teochma's  call  so 
cruelly  disturbed  us,  were  the  signs  which  made  me 
free.  Is  it  not  so,  Laughing-eyes  ?"  Cacami's  voice 
and  manner  were  full  of  pleading,  and  Itlza,  loving  as 
she  did,  could  not  resist  their  influence,  and  said : 

"Yes,  Cacami,  I  may  not  longer  trifle;  you  have 
read  my  thoughts  and  actions  rightly.  The  flower- 
heart,  in  which  was  entwined  my  best  love,  was 
wrought  for  you,  and  made  the  messenger  of  re- 
lease." 

"  I  thought  as  much,  and  yet  there  was  a  doubt, 
which  your  blessed  words  have  removed,  and  I  am 
free  to  tell  you  how  dear  you  are  to  me.  From  the 
moment  when  I  first  looked  into  those  laughing  eyes 
I  have  loved  them  and  their  adored  possessor.  You 
must  recall  how  earnest  was  my  wooing  from  the  very 
beginning — not  a  happy  wooing  either,  Itlza,  for  I 
thought  it  was  in  vain.  But  now  I  know  it  was  not, 


250  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

for  the  love  of  the  Laughing-eyes  is  mine.  When  the 
battle  comes  my  sword  shall  make  me  worthy  of  it. 
Then  you  shall  pledge  yourself  to  be  my  wife — not 
before.  Until  that  hour  love  alone  shall  keep  us  for 
each  other,"  he  spoke  with  passionate  emphasis. 

"  It  shall  be  as  you  have  said — love  shall  keep  us 
for  each  other,"  she  replied,  looking  beseechingly  into 
his  face.  "  My  heart  is  sad,  even  while  it  is  happy," 
she  continued.  "  War  is  ever  terrible,  but  doubly  so 
when  those  we  love  are  in  it — Euetzin,  my  brother, 
and  you,  my  new-found  love."  Here  her  disengaged 
hand  was  laid  lovingly  on  his  arm,  and  her  eyes, 
moist  with  the  dew  of  affection,  looked  pleadingly  up 
to  him.  "  Both  must  go.  Will  both,  or  even  one,  re- 
turn? "  She  dropped  her  head  upon  his  hand  and 
wept. 

"  Be  brave,  dear  heart ;  those  bright,  laughing  eyes 
were  never  made  for  tears,"  said  he,  consoling  her 
tenderly.  "  The  gods,  you  may  be  sure,  will  shield 
your  loved  ones  in  the  fight  for  freedom,  and  bring 
them  safely  back  to  you."  Said  encouragingly. 

A  call  to  the  morning  meal  interrupted  further  con- 
versation on  the  subject  so  near  to  the  hearts  of  the 
twain ;  and  they  went  in,  happy  now  in  each  other's 
love,  yet  sad  from  the  thoughts  which  had  caused  the 
Laughing-eyes  to  weep. 

Two  hours  later  Euetzin  and  Cacami  were  on  the 
road  to  Tezcuco.  That  their  stay  at  the  villa  had  to 
be  so  brief  was  a  source  of  regret  to  both. 

The  fond  associations  of  a  beautiful  and  attractive 
home,  the  dearest  of  which  were  found  in  the  presence 
and  love  of  Teochma  and  Itlza,  were  pressing  induce- 
ments for  the  tzin  to  prolong  his  stay,  but  there  was 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  251 

no  time  to  spare  just  then  for  gratifying  the  tenderer 
impulses;  so,  stifling  the  cry  in  his  heart — the  voice 
of  filial  love — he  went  sadly  away,  in  answer  to  duty's 
call. 

Cacami,  in  the  character  of  an  accepted  lover — 
though  somewhat  regretful  at  having  to  go  from  the 
scene  of  his  late  successful  wooing  so  soon,  possessed 
as  he  was  with  the  blissful  assurance  of  a  reciprocated 
affection — could  not  be  other  than  felicitous.  Still,  his 
happiness  was  not  cloudless.  There  was  mingled  with 
it  a  disquieting  doubt  as  to  the  acquiescence  of  the 
aristocratic  mother  and  brother  in  his  affaire  with 
Itlza.  He  was  hopeful,  however,  in  view  of  his  inti- 
macy with  the  brother.  He  had  no  intention  of  in- 
forming them,  at  this  time,  of  the  state  of  his  feelings, 
and  was  confident  that  Itlza  would  be  equally  reticent. 
When  he  had  won  honor  and  fame  as  a  warrior  he 
could  approach  them  with  a  stronger  assurance  of  ap- 
proval. 

Thus  it  happened  that  a  knowledge  of  the  existing 
state  of  their  feelings  toward  each  other  was  kept  from 
Teochma  and  the  tzin  by  the  lovers,  which,  as  it  sub- 
sequently proved,  was  an  unfortunate  course  for  them 
to  pursue ;  and  yet,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  no  betrothal 
had  taken  place,  they  were  not  to  be  blamed  for  keep- 
ing the  matter  a  secret  between  themselves. 

On  arriving  at  Tezcuco  Euetzin  went  about  his 
errand  of  procuring  information  and  the  transaction  of 
other  business,  for  which  he  had  come  to  the  city. 
While  he  was  thus  occupied,  Cacami  went  to  visit  for 
a  brief  spell  with  his  people,  returning  in  time  to  ac- 
company him  to  other  points,  and  finally  back  to 
Tlacopan  for  the  appointed  audience  with  Macua,  the 
king. 


252  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

THE  fifth  day  subsequent  to  the  one  on  which 
Euetzin  and  Cacami  made  their  first  visit  to 
Macua,  King  of  Tlacopan,  and  the  one  appointed  for  a 
second  audience  with  him,  had  dawned,  and  the  sun 
was  on  its  upward  course. 

A  number  of  notables — princes,  caciques,  and  chiefs 
— had  recently  arrived  in  Tlacopan,  and  were  being 
entertained  by  Macua,  at  the  king's  palace.  Much 
speculation  was  indulged  in  by  the  city's  denizens,  as 
to  what  they  were  there  for.  Their  mission,  however, 
was  of  a  secret  character,  known  only  to  themselves, 
the  king  and  his  advisers,  and  was  scrupulously 
guarded  by  the  close-mouthed  leaders. 

An  important  council  was  about  to  convene,  the  re- 
sult of  Maxtla's  aggressiveness,  which  proved,  in  the 
end,  to  be  a  memorable  event  in  the  lives  of  those  who 
took  part  in  it,  and  also  for  those  in  whose  interest  it 
was  held. 

The  meeting  took  place  in  the  audience  hall  of  the 
king's  palace,  and  the  most  prominent  person  present 
was  the  king  himself.  He  was  seated  on  his  throne, 
arrayed  in  magnificent  attire,  and  bore  himself  with 
kingly  dignity,  as  one  after  another  the  gathering 
warriors  advanced  to  salute  him  as  the  presiding  official 
of  the  occasion. 

On  looking  over  the  body  of  dignified  and  sober 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  253 

appearing  individuals  there  assembled,  one  would  have 
decided  at  once  that  it  was  no  ordinary  gathering  of 
the  king's  subjects.  Seated  on  his  right  was  a  man 
whose  dress  and  bearing  were  significant  of  royalty  ; 
while  on  his  left  was  another  equally  as  notable. 
Richly  caparisoned  caciques  and  warriors  were  present; 
some  seated  and  others  standing  about  the  chamber, 
all  waiting  expectantly  for  the  king  to  announce  the 
opening  of  the  council. 

Macua  presently  rose  to  speak,  and  every  eye  was 
fixed  upon  him  with  interested  attention.  When  per- 
fect silence  prevailed  he  said : 

"  I  am  pleased  to  witness  the  presence  here  at  this 
time  of  so  many  nobles  and  warriors,  who  have  come 
to  engage  in  important  deliberations.  I  have  reason 
to  believe  that  all  of  you  are  inspired  by  a  common 
thought:  that  of  a  mutual  defense  of  our  liberties. 
The  promptness  with  which  the  call  has  been  met 
presages  success  in  what  shall  follow  this  meeting. 
As  the  head  of  this  nation  I  extend  to  all  a  cordial 
welcome  to  Tlacopan."  Turning  to  a  person  who  was 
evidently  the  keeper  of  records,  he  continued :  "  The 
names  of  those  who  are  to  sit  in  council  with  us  will 
now  be  read,  and  the  person  named  will  rise  and  ac- 
knowledge the  same  in  the  usual  manner." 

As  the  name  was  announced  the  person  bearing  it 
rose  and  made  an  obeisance.  After  a  number  of  names 
were  gone  over  and  acknowledged,  the  recorder  called 
out: 

"  Euetzin  of  Tezcuco  !  "  to  which  no  one  responded. 
The  tzin  had  not  arrived.  At  this  moment  an  inter- 
ruption occurred  in  consequence  of  the  entrance  to  the 
hall  of  a  person  who  was  conducted  into  the  presence 
of  the  assembly,  causing  a  suspension  of  the  roll  call. 


254  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

The  newcomer  appeared  to  be  a  stranger  to  all  pres- 
ent, for  no  one  seemed  to  recognize  him.  If  he  was 
known  his  identity  was  not  apparent.  Advancing  be- 
fore the  king  he  saluted  his  majesty  very  profoundly. 
Macua  acknowledged  the  courtesy,  but  gave  no  sign  of 
recognition. 

"  You  do  not  remember  me,  O  King,  for  which  omis- 
sion you  are  pardonable,  since  my  former  appearance 
before  you  was  in  an  assumed  character.  This,"  he 
continued,  holding  up  a  signet,  "may  prove  a  reminder 
to  you." 

"  Euetzin  of  Tezcuco !  "  exclaimed  Macua.  "  We 
were  looking  for  a  hunter,  not  a  tzin." 

"  I  am  the  accredited  representative  of  a  prince  to- 
day, if  your  majesty  pleases,"  replied  Euetzin,  with 
proper  dignity. 

"  You  are ;  and  as  the  King  of  Tlacopan  I  greet  you 
as  such,"  returned  Macua,  leaving  the  throne  to  extend 
to  the  tzin  an  honor  seldom  conferred  except  upon  a 
prince. 

Euetzin  was  attired  in  the  costume  of  a  tzin,  which 
changed  his  appearance  greatly,  preventing  his  recogni- 
tion by  the  king.  His  dress  was  of  the  finest  material, 
but  not  gaudy  ;  showing  a  conservatism  in  his  notions 
of  apparel.  In  this  his  second  appearance  before  Ma- 
cua he  felt  that  the  dignity  of  his  position  as  the  repre- 
sentative of  Hualcoyotl  demanded  that  he  should  be 
becomingly  clothed ;  he  accordingly  came  to  Tlacopan 
prepared  to  abandon  the  character  and  garb  of  a  hun- 
ter, and  appear,  temporarily,  in  his  rightful  one. 

After  greeting  the  tzin  the  king  bade  him  take  a  seat 
with  the  assembly. 

The  call  of  the  roll  was  resumed  and  completed.     It 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  255 

was  found  that  all  were  present  who  were  expected  to 
take  part  in  the  council.  At  its  conclusion  Macua 
again  arose  and  said : 

"  We  are  assembled  here  to-day  to  consider  a  matter 
of  vital  interest  to  all  of  us  :  the  matter  of  a  threatened 
invasion  of  our  territories  by  Maxtla,  the  new  king  at 
Azcapozalco.  The  fate  of  Tezcuco  is  before  us.  Shall 
this  man  be  allowed  to  spoil  us  while  our  eyes  are 
open  ?  This,  friends,  is  the  question  you  have  been 
called  together  to  consider.  Let  your  words  be  words 
of  wisdom,  that  our  council  may  result  in  good." 

After  a  brief  period  of  silence  an  old  man — a  Tla- 
copan  chief — rose  up,  and  addressed  the  king  : 

"  Your  majesty's  words  are  words  of  warning.  We 
are,  of  a  truth,  menaced  by  this  Maxtla,  of  Azcapozalco, 
whose  power  is  great.  The  army  of  Tlacopan,  com- 
bined with  the  armies  of  all  the  principalities  here 
represented,  would  be  as  naught  before  the  hosts  of 
his  mighty  empire.  Have  you  not  something  to  say 
that  will  give  encouragement  ?  What  is  in  your  mind 
that  has  not  been  revealed  to  us  ?  " 

The  king  spoke  in  reply : 

"  The  armies  of  all  the  principalities  represented  here 
to-day  would,  indeed,  be  unequal  to  cope  with  Maxtla 
in  the  field ;  but,  friends,  there  is  offered  us  a  hope  in 
a  union  with  the  oppressed  Tezcucans.  A  voice  has 
come  to  me  from  Tezcuco :  Tezcuco  would  be  free. 
Euetzin,  a  representative  of  that  people,  is  with  us  to- 
day. He  is  here  as  the  envoy  of  Hualcoyotl,  their 
prince,  who  is  now  a  fugitive,  unjustly  pursued — a  man 
who  is  beloved  of  his  own,  but  hated  by  the  monarch 
we  fear.  We  would  join  the  Tezcucans  in  a  war 
against  Maxtla,  if  the  appearances  are  favorable  to  sue- 


256  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

cess.  We  would  hear  what  Euetzin  may  have  to  offer 
us." 

There  was  a  stir  about  the  chamber  at  this  declara- 
tion from  Macua,  and  the  tzin  at  once  became  an  ob- 
ject of  much  interest.  He  arose,  at  a  motion  from 
the  king,  and,  after  casting  his  eyes  over  the  assem- 
blage of  stern-looking  warriors,  said  : 

"  Tezcuco  will  be  free,  or  go  down  deeper  into  the 
slough  of  oppression.  To  Maxtla  she  will  no  longer 
submit,  if  a  mighty  struggle  will  give  her  liberty.  An 
army  of  patriots,  though  unseen,  are  now  waiting  for 
the  signal  to  march  to  victory,  death,  or  a  lower 
degradation.  Tezcuco  would  secure  the  aid  of  those 
who  would  have  the  Tepanec  usurper  overthrown. 
Many  would  make  our  victory  sure.  I  am  here,  to- 
day, seeking  coalition."  Turning  about,  he  addressed 
Macua  :  "  Will  it  please  the  King  to  read  this  paper?  " 
As  he  concluded,  the  tzin  handed  a  document  to  the 
king,  which  proved  to  be  an  estimate  of  the  Tezcucan 
forces,  based  on  their  secret  enrollment. 

When  Macua  had  perused  and  understood  the  signi- 
ficance of  the  contents  of  the  paper,  he  looked  at  the 
tzin  in  astonishment,  and  said : 

"  I  am  filled  with  wonder  at  what  is  here  set  forth. 
If  Tezcuco  can  do  so  much,  then,  indeed,  is  there 
hope.  Maxtla  might  well  tremble  for  his  supremacy, 
did  he  know  the  magnitude  of  his  opposition." 

After  a  further  examination  of  the  paper  the  king 
continued : 

"  With  your  consent,  Euetzin,  I  would  make  known 
to  our  friends  what  is  here  written." 

"  The  wisdom  of  Macua  must  direct  him.  He  should 
understand  the  importance  to  Tezcuco  of  the  knowl- 


A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  257 

edge  which  is  contained  in  the  paper.  Should  it  be 
made  public  it  would  be  most  unfortunate  for  her 
cause,"  replied  the  tzin,  courteously. 

"  I  have  faith  in  our  friends,  and  will  be  responsible 
for  their  silence,"  returned  Macua,  proceeding  to  ac- 
quaint the  council  with  the  contents  of  the  document. 
Its  members  were  no  less  astonished  than  was  the 
king  at  the  measure  of  their  significance.  Macua  then 
said: 

"  We  remember  the  mild  and  generous  disposition 
of  the  late  king  of  Tezcuco,  and  how  deeply  our 
people  regretted  his  fall,  and  the  subversion  of  his 
government.  A  restoration  of  that  government  under 
the  rule  of  his  son,  Prince  Hualcoyotl,  would  give  us 
complete  security.  Euetzin  comes  to  us  bearing  evi- 
dence, which  we  can  not  doubt,  that  he  is,  in  truth, 
the  representative  of  the  Tezcucan  prince,  and,  as 
such,  would  not  deceive  us  by  misrepresentation.  I, 
therefore,  as  the  King  of  Tlacopan,  having  confidence 
in  him,  am  ready  to  accept  his  statements  as  correct, 
and,  with  the  consent  of  my  advisers,  will  join  Tezcuco 
in  a  war  against  the  Tepanec  king." 

There  were  a  number  of  high  officials  present  from 
two  states,  besides  Tlacopan,  who  were  unanimous  in 
their  approval  of  Mactia's  declaration.  It  was,  there- 
fore, sustained  by  his  chiefs,  which  led  to  an  agree- 
ment of  coalition  being  entered  into,  and  its  ratifica- 
tion in  their  accustomed  manner. 

After  a  further  consideration  of  the  matter  as  to 
plans  of  procedure,  it  was  decided  to  hold  a  great 
tourney  at  Tlacopan  on  a  certain  day  in  the  near 
future,  which  would  afford  the  Tezcucans  a  pretense  to 
withdraw  from  Tezcuco  for  the  purpose  of  massing. 


258  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

It  was  also  decided  that  envoys  should  be  sent  to  Az- 
capozalco,  to  appear  before  Maxtla  the  same  day  on 
which  the  tourney  was  to  take  place,  to  present  to  him 
the  ultimatum  of  the  allied  states,  the  principal  condi- 
tion of  which  should  be  the  liberation  of  Tezcuco,  and 
the  enthronement  of  her  prince. 

It  was  further  agreed  that  the  army  of  each  state 
should  be  under  the  command  of  its  own  prince  and 
warriors,  the  whole  to  be  commanded  by  the  prince 
furnishing  the  greatest  number  of  soldiers.  The 
council  then  broke  up,  subject  to  a  call  from  Macua. 

There  was  much  to  accomplish  before  the  time  ap- 
pointed for  holding  the  tournament,  which  was  to  be 
nothing  more  nor  less  than  the  assembling  of  the 
hosts  of  the  allied  states.  The  secret  councils  of  Tez- 
cucans  had  to  be  notified  and  instructed,  and  the  arms, 
which  were  already  provided  for  their  equipment, 
transported  secretly  to  the  vicinity  of  Tlacopan.  In 
addition  to  this,  Hualcoyotl  was  to  be  brought  secretly 
to  Tlacopan,  for  it  was  expected  that  he  would  be 
placed  at  the  head  of  the  army.  These  preparations 
would  depend  largely  on  the  tzin  and  his  companion, 
and  they  permitted  no  time  to  go  by  unimproved,  but 
proceeded  at  once  to  the  consummation  of  them. 


A  PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  259 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

T^UETZIN  and  his  fellow  conspirators  found  the 
J_L  time  very  brief  for  completing  their  preparations 
for  the  massing  of  the  insurgent  army  of  Tezcuco  on 
the  day  appointed.  The  work  was  attended  with  so 
much  secrecy  that  it  had  to  be  carried  on  in  a  very 
quiet  manner,  keeping  them  constantly  on  the  alert. 
This  being  the  case,  the  tzin  and  Cacami  were  kept 
continually  employed,  with  not  a  moment  of  time  to 
spare  in  which  to  visit  their  homes.  However,  just 
before  starting  for  the  mountains,  to  escort  Hualcoyotl 
into  Tlacopan,  they  took  time  to  go  and  say  good-by, 
and  procure  what  was  necessary  to  complete  their  out- 
fits. 

While  the  Tezcucans  were  secretly  pushing  forward 
their  preparations,  Macua  was  busily  engaged  in  re- 
plenishing his  store-houses  with  provisions  and  other 
supplies  for  the  armies. 

A  commendable  feature  in  the  economy  and  fore- 
sight of  the  Aztecs — and  no  less  that  of  the  other 
nations  of  Anahuac,  for  what  may  be  said  of  one  will 
apply  to  all — was  the  establishment  of  great  granaries, 
or  store-houses,  where  supplies  were  garnered  up  to 
meet  future  exigencies.  This  was  accomplished  by 
tribute  from  the  agricultural  districts  of  the  province. 

The  time  appointed  for  holding  the  tournament  was 
at  hand,  and  Tlacopan  was  gorgeously  attired  for  the 


260  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

occasion.  The  day  was  propitious,  and  the  city  was 
filled  to  overflowing  with  people,  who  had  come  from 
far  and  near  to  witness  the  achievements  of  the  con- 
testants. 

The  number  of  foreigners  present  was  unprece- 
dented. The  primal  cause  of  this  unusual  spectacle 
will  be  apparent  to  the  reader. 

The  hour  for  the  tourney  to  open  had  arrived,  and 
an  immense  throng  of  people  was  assembled  on  the 
city's  market-place,  where  it  was  thought  best  to  hold 
the  meeting,  in  view  of  the  expected  crowd.  The 
tianguez  was  a  great  square,  inwalled  by  buildings, 
store-houses,  etc.,  and  made  to  accommodate  anywhere 
from  twenty-five  to  fifty  thousand  people.  Much  of  its 
space,  on  this  day,  was  protected  by  coverings,  cotton 
awnings,  canopies,  etc.,  and  was  arranged  to  seat  a 
multitude. 

Tournaments  were  not  an  uncommon  occurrence 
among  the  nations  of  Anahuac,  and  the  people  were 
encouraged  to  participate  in  them  by  awards  of  merit — 
jewels,  medals,  decorations,  etc.,  which  were  bestowed 
upon  the  successful  contestants.  Every  ruler  of  any 
importance  was  provided  with  a  suitable  place  in 
which  to  hold  the  contests,  usually  a  great  inclosed 
court  attached  to  the  king's  palace,  but  which,  on  this 
occasion,  was  not  adequate  to  the  demands. 

In  many  instances,  among  the  more  barbarous  na- 
tions, the  tourney  of  the  Aztecs  was  not  less  bloody 
than  those  of  the  ancients  of  Pompeii  and  Rome,  re- 
sulting purposely  in  the  death  of  one  or  more  of  the 
contestants. 

In  view  of  the  immense  concourse  of  people  in  at- 
tendance at  Tlacopan,  the  occasion  would  prove  a 
proud  one  for  the  victors. 


A   PRINCE   OP   ANAHtJAC.  261 

Contests  with  the  bow  and  arrow,  and  tilts  with  the 
javelin,  were  to  be  especial  features  of  the  approach- 
ing tourney,  which  were  open  to  all  comers. 

It  was  not  required  of  a  contestant  that  he  or  she  be 
personally  known ;  a  badge,  however,  was  usually 
worn,  denoting  the  tribal  connection. 

A  trial  of  skill  between  bowmen  was  announced,  and 
the  babbling  throng  became  hushed.  The  signal  for 
the  contestants  to  appear  was  sounded,  and  a  score  or 
more  of  athletic  warriors  leaped  into  the  arena.  They 
were  clothed  in  their  military  tunic,  which  covered  the 
body  and  thighs.  About  the  head  was  a  band  sur- 
mounted with  featherwork.  Ornaments  and  decora- 
tions of  different  kinds,  denoting  former  victories, 
were  worn  by  a  number  of  them.  A  buckler,  or  shield, 
was  carried  by  each  one  as  a  protection  against  the 
arrows  of  an  opponent. 

There  were  two  points  of  excellence  considered  in 
this  contest :  the  accuracy  with  which  the  arrow  was 
dispatched,  and  the  dexterity  with  which  it  was  caught 
upon  the  shield. 

The  contest  was  opened  by  two  of  the  warriors 
taking  positions  opposite  and  facing  each  other,  at  a 
fixed  distance  apart.  The  assembled  multitude  became 
instantly  stilled,  and  all  eyes  were  centered  upon  them. 
The  bows  of  the  opposing  bowmen  were  deliberately 
brought  to  position,  and  at  a  given  signal  two  arrows 
sped  across  the  space  which  separated  them,  and  which 
were  neatly  stopped  by  the  respective  shields.  The 
effect  upon  the  audience  was  electrical ;  a  shout  of  ap- 
proval went  up  for  the  splendid  exhibition  of  skill 
manifested  by  the  contestants.  The  opponents,  in  this 
instance,  were  of  Tlacopan  and  Tenochtitlan.  After 
three  trials  the  score  was  recorded  in  favor  of  the  latter. 


262  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

Another  two  advanced  to  position,  and  a  record  was 
made.  Thus  the  contest  proceeded  to  the  fifth  entry, 
when  a  Tepanec  and  Tezcucan  stood  opposed.  Two 
trials  were  successfully  achieved,  but  at  the  third  the 
arrow  of  the  Tezcucan  clipped  a  piece  from  the  ear  of 
the  Tepanec,  carrying  away  the  ring  which  adorned  it. 
A  prolonged  shout  of  exultation  from  the  Tezcucans 
present  followed  the  discovery  of  the  result  of  the  shot. 

The  wounded  contestant  was  a  warrior  of  note  in  his 
own  country,  which  was  evidenced  by  the  number  of 
decorations  he  wore.  He  was  greatly  chagrined  and 
angered  at  his  mishap,  and  retired  from  the  arena  with 
bitterness  in  his  heart,  and  a  vengeful  scowl  upon  his 
face.  He  was  stoutly  built,  and  would  prove  a  danger- 
ous adversary  in  a  contest  of  strength. 

The  first  of  the  series  of  contests  was  conducted  to  a 
finish,  and  the  second  was  called,  which  was  to  be  a 
contest  in  target  shooting,  to  which  none  but  women 
were  admitted. 

When  the  signal  for  their  entrance  was  given,  an 
array  of  beauty,  in  person  and  dress  seldom  witnessed, 
glided  upon  the  scene.  There  were  princesses,  the 
wives  and  daughters  of  caciques  and  chiefs,  and  others 
with  no  royal  blood  to  give  them  prestige — a  double 
score. 

We  will  not  pause  to  describe  the  costumes — suffice 
it  to  say  that  the  majority  of  them  were  gorgeous  in 
the  extreme,  with  elaborately  wrought  trimmings  of 
gold  and  silver,  and  beautifully  designed  featherwork, 
making  altogether  a  most  fanciful  picture  of  barbaric 
splendor. 

The  target,  which  in  this  case  was  the  representation 
of  a  heart,  was  placed,  and  the  contest  opened. 


A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  263 

The  order  of  succession  had  been  determined,  and 
the  first  archer  stepped  to  the  front,  receiving,  as  she 
did  so,  a  good  round  of  applause.  After  a  moment's 
deliberation  the  arrow  from  her  bow  was  sent  on  its 
harmless  mission.  It  was  well  directed,  but  did  not 
cut  the  target.  She  moved  to  one  side,  and  another 
took  her  place. 

"  Ix>ok ! "  exclaimed  a  spectator  to  an  associate  as 
the  second  archer  stepped  into  position.  "  By  the 
bearded  Quetzal,  there's  a  beauty  for  you !  Superb, 
isn't  she?  "  The  contestant  was  a  stranger  to  that  vast 
throng,  but,  had  the  reader  of  our  story  been  present, 
a  glance  would  have  sufficed  to  reveal  who  it  was ;  for 
it  was  none  other  than  Mitla,  the  "  Mountain  Princess," 
who,  through  the  persuasion  of  the  tzin,  had  consented 
to  enter  the  contest.  After  taking  position  she  paused 
to  recover  her  composure,  giving  the  spectators  time 
to  note  her  admirable  physique.  A  buzz  of  admiration 
was  heard  to  pass  through  the  great  audience,  and  then 
as  her  bow  was  deliberately  raised  to  shoot,  all  became 
silent!  The  silence  was  breathless — almost  oppressive 
— while  the  vast  crowd  awaited  the  result  of  her  shot. 
A  snap  was  heard  to  break  the  stillness,  followed  by  a 
sudden  shadowy  streak,  which  touched  the  target  and 
disappeared ;  but  the  substance  of  it,  the  arrow  from 
Mitla's  bow,  was  left  buried  directly  in  the  center  of 
the  heart.  When  the  splendid  feat  of  archery  she  had 
accomplished  was  realized,  it  was  greeted  with  the 
wildest  demonstrations  of  delight,  accompanied  by  a 
shower  of  flowers,  which  fell  in  profusion  about  her. 
She  had  won  the  heart  of  the  multitude  by  her  superb, 
native  presence,  and  unexcelled  exhibition  of  skill. 

Mitla  cast  her  eyes  in  the  direction  of  the  king's 


264  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

canopied  platform,  and  the  look  drew  forth  from  friends 
there  lively  manifestations  of  recognition  and  applause. 
Coming,  as  these  demonstrations  did,  from  Macua's 
place  on  the  tianguez,  they  were  regarded  by  those 
who  observed  them  as  highly  significant,  fixing  upon 
her  the  prestige  of  royal  favor,  raising  the  unknown 
archer,  in  their  semi-barbarous  minds,  far  above  the 
plain  of  her  uneventful  life. 

Many  splendid  shots  were  made  by  Mitla's  competi- 
tors, but  to  no  purpose.  Her  unerring  accuracy  could 
not  be  excelled,  and  at  the  close  of  the  contest,  amid 
shouts  and  acclamations  of  satisfaction,  she  was  de- 
clared the  winner. 

The  victorious  girl  was  conducted  before  King  Ma- 
cua,  who  presented  te  her  the  prize  she  had  won — a 
beautiful  necklace  of  gold  and  gems,  which  was  clasped 
about  her  throat  by  the  hand  of  Euetzin,  who  was  of 
the  king's  party.  It  was  a  superlatively  happy  mo- 
ment to  the  beautiful  mountain  girl,  and  her  eyes  were 
effervescing  with  love's  softest  light  as  they  rested  on 
him  whom,  unknown  to  all  save  herself,  she  almost 
worshiped. 

Mitla  at  once  became  an  object  of  royal  favor,  and  was 
escorted  onto  Macua's  platform,  and  given  a  place  with 
the  king's  elect. 

A  tilt  with  javelins  was  the  next  thing  in  order. 
This  was  in  the  nature  of  a  challenge  contest ;  a  very 
dangerous  one  for  the  participants,  and  exciting  to  the 
beholders. 

A  challenge  to  engage  in  a  tilt,  or  contest,  was 
always  in  order,  and  usually  proved  to  be  the  most 
popular  and  exciting  feature  of  the  tourney. 

The  signal  for  the  bout  to  commence  was  hardly 


A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  265 

sounded  before  the  Tepanec  warrior  who  had  been 
wounded  in  the  bowmen's  contest  was  in  the  arena. 
His  challenge  was  directed  to  the  Tezcucan  who  had 
inflicted  humiliation  upon  him.  His  appearance  and 
actions  showed  that  his  object  was  to  have  revenge  for 
the  disgrace  which  the  peculiar  wound  he  had  received 
in  the  bowmen's  contest  would  fasten  upon  him. 

The  challenge  was  accepted,  and  the  two  warriors 
stood  face  to  face,  awaiting  the  moment  of  action ; 
hatred  depicted  on  the  countenance  of  one,  the  other 
calm  and  defiant.  They  were  each  equipped  with 
javelin  and  heavy  buckler,  and  clothed  about  the  body 
and  thighs  with  a  thick  cotton  tunic — the  arms  and 
lower  limbs  being  entirely  free  from  covering.  They 
were  without  the  customary  headgear — a  band  only 
being  worn  to  confine  the  long,  coarse,  black  hair. 

The  instructions  to  the  opposing  warriors  were  to 
advance  rapidly  to  a  given  point,  and  throw  their 
weapons  to  kill — injury  or  death  being  avoided  by 
dodging  or  catching  the  javelin  on  the  buckler. 

The  great  crowd  was  again  hushed.  The  signals 
were  given,  and  the  rush  of  the  opponents  quickly 
followed.  A  whiz  and  crash  were  heard,  and  the  Tez- 
cucan was  almost  thrown  from  his  feet  by  the  force 
of  the  Tepanec's  javelin,  which  he  had  succeeded  in 
catching  on  his  buckler.  He  immediately  recovered 
himself,  and  faced  his  opponent,  who,  having  dodged 
his  adversary's  weapon,  stood  fiercely  watching  the 
effect  of  his  throw. 

The  advantage  gained  by  the  Tepanec  over  the 
Tezcucan,  in  the  tilt,  was  not  hailed  with  any  degree 
of  enthusiasm.  There  were  too  many  friends  of  the 
latter,  and  others,  present,  in  whose  hearts  burned  the 


266  A  PRINCE   OP  ANAHUAC. 

bitterest  national  hatred — a  hatred  for  grievances  in- 
flicted— for  which  every  Tepanec,  no  matter  what  his 
position,  high  or  low,  was  held  responsible. 

It  was  evident  that  the  Tepanec  was  the  superior 
adversary,  and  he  knew  it.  He  was  not  satisfied  with 
the  result  of  the  bout,  and  a  second  trial  was  de- 
manded. Rather  than  be  branded  a  coward,  the  Tez- 
cucan  granted  it,  but,  in  doing  so,  realized  that  he  was 
no  match  for  his  enemy,  and  could  hardly  expect  to 
come  out  of  the  contest  with  a  whole  skin,  if  he  did 
not  lose  his  life. 

The  lancers  took  their  respective  positions  for  a  sec- 
ond trial.  The  signals  were  given,  and  they  advanced 
quickly  to  the  throwing  point.  A  cutting  of  the  air 
was  heard,  followed  by  a  crash  of  javelins  and  shields, 
and  the  Tezcucan  was  knocked  from  his  feet  to  the 
earth,  where  he  lay  powerless  to  rise,  his  buckler  hav- 
ing been  torn  from  his  hand,  and  the  weapon  of  his 
opponent  buried  in  his  body. 

The  Tepanec  warrior,  now  insane  with  rage,  rushed 
upon  his  fallen  foe,  with  the  evident  intention  of  dis- 
patching him. 

Savage  as  they  were,  the  Anahuacans  had  a  profound 
sense  of  fair  play.  When  the  purpose  of  the  crazed 
contestant  was  fully  comprehended,  the  spectators,  as 
by  a  single  impulse,  jumped  to  their  feet,  and  a  shout 
of  derision  went  up  from  them  for  his  wicked  and 
unmanly  design.  The  time  was  brief,  but  not  too 
brief  for  an  avenging  hand  to  come  between  the 
would-be  murderer  and  his  fallen  adversary.  While 
all  eyes  were  bent  upon  the  insane  victor,  with  no 
other  thought  but  that  he  would  accomplish  his  re- 
vengeful purpose,  a  hunter  leaped  into  the  arena, 


A.  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  267 

and,  before  the  mad  deed  was  consummated,  a  javelin 
was  sent  flying  through  the  air,  which  struck  the  war- 
rior in  the  neck,  felling  him,  a  lifeless  heap,  at  the  side 
of  the  prostrate  Tezcucan. 

The  excitement  was  now  intense.  The  dead  Tepa- 
nec  and  his  severely  wounded  adversary  were  forgotten 
for  the  moment  by  the  excited  audience,  whose  atten- 
tion became  centered  on  the  hunter.  This  man,  whose 
hand  had  sent  the  messenger  of  death,  which  so  mate- 
rially affected  the  aspect  of  the  tragedy,  suddenly  be- 
came an  object  of  speculation  and  the  hero  of  the 
hour. 

The  king  commanded  that  the  slayer  of  the  insane 
warrior  be  brought  into  his  presence.  When  he  ap- 
peared, in  obedience  to  the  command,  great  was  the 
surprise  and  pleasure  of  Macua,  and  those  with  him, 
to  see  in  the  expert  lancer  the  tzin's  companion, 
Cacami. 

The  king  said : 

"  We  would  honor  the  man  who  can  throw  a  javelin 
so  true,  and  at  such  a  time ;  especially  do  we  take 
pleasure  in  honoring  Cacami.  Wear  this,"  he  con- 
tinued, placing  upon  Cacami's  breast  a  decoration 
which  carried  with  it  honorable  preferment,  "  as  a  mark 
of  distinction,  and  also  as  a  memorial  of  the  valorous 
deed  you  have  this  day  performed  in  behalf  of  a  fallen 
man." 

A  shout  of  approbation  ascended  from  the  assembled 
throng,  while  the  tzin  warmly  embraced  his  comrade 
and  friend. 

Cacami  was  a  spectator  only,  not  having  determined 
to  take  part  in  the  tournament,  because  of  his  engage- 
ments, especially  on  account  of  his  recent  journey  to 


268  A 'PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

the  mountains  to  assist  in  bringing  the  prince  to  the 
city.  He  was  greatly  interested  in  the  tourney,  how- 
ever; particularly  so  in  the  tilt  with  javelins,  and  ex- 
citement might  have  led  him  to  enter  the  contest  had 
the  first  bout  not  ended  as  it  did.  No  eye  in  that  im- 
mense throng  took  in  the  situation  as  promptly  as  did 
his ;  and,  instantly  comprehending  the  purpose  of  the 
maddened  warrior,  he  did  not  stop  to  think  twice,  but 
sprang  to  the  defense  of  his  fellow  Tezcucan,  which 
resulted,  as  we  have  seen,  in  his  killing  the  vicious 
Tepanec. 

When  quiet  was  restored  and  the  arena  cleared,  the 
tourney  was  conducted  to  a  finish,  and  the  great  throng 
gradually  melted  away,  most  of  it,  however,  to  reas- 
semble in  a  different  capacity  and  place  outside  of 
Tlacopan. 


A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  269 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

WHIIvE  the  exciting  scenes  of  the  tourney  were 
being  witnessed  on  Tlacopan's  tianguez,  events 
of  an  entirely  different  nature  were  transpiring  in  the 
palace  of  Maxtla,  at  Azcapozalco.  The  embassy,  con- 
sisting of  three  prominent  persons  and  their  atten- 
dants, which  had  been  sent  to  him  with  the  ultimatum 
of  the  allied  principalities,  arrived  at  his  capital  in 
great  pomp  the  day  preceding  the  one  on  which  they 
were  instructed  to  present  it. 

The  envoys  were  royally  entertained,  as  was  the 
custom,  by  fete  and  feast,  and  made  to  feel  that  they 
were  guests  of  a  great  monarch. 

The  nature  of  their  mission  was  not  known  beyond 
the  three  representatives,  nor  was  it  expected  to  be 
until  officially  announced.  Maxtla  had  not  the  slight- 
est idea  as  to  the  significance  of  it. 

In  the  forenoon  of  the  day  following  their  arrival  at 
the  palace,  and  about  the  time  of  the  opening  of  the 
tourney  at  Tlacopan,  an  audience  was  granted  the 
envoys;  and,  in  the  presence  of  the  king  and  his 
counselors,  the  embassy's  mission  was  made  known, 
and  the  conditions  of  the  ultimatum  presented. 

Maxtla  was  astounded  and  exasperated  by  what 
seemed  to  him  the  audacity  of  his  petty  neighbors. 
He,  however,  held  his  feelings  partially  under  subjec- 
tion. With  all  his  fierceness  and  cruelty  of  disposi- 


270  A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC. 

tion  he  was  politic  and  cunning.  He  saw,  as  he 
thought,  in  the  action  of  Tlacopan  and  her  allies,  a 
pretense  for  advancing  his  interests  in  that  direction — 
the  very  thing  he  had  been  scheming  to  bring  about, 
and  shaped  his  course  accordingly. 

His  reply  to  the  envoys  was  to  the  effect  that  the 
action  of  the  governments  they  represented  was  an 
insult,  not  only  to  his  own  dignity  as  a  monarch,  but 
that  of  his  great  empire.  Tezcuco,  he  said,  was  his  by 
conquest,  and  would  not  be  relinquished  except  by 
force  of  arms.  The  enthronement  of  the  despised 
Hualcoyotl,  he  further  said,  would  be  resisted  to  the 
last  extremity. 

"Go  back  to  your  masters,"  said  he,  "and  say  to 
them  that  we  scorn  their  implied  threats,  and  will  re- 
sent the  insult  they  have  offered  us  with  the  whole 
force  of  our  empire." 

Maxtla's  reply  to  the  conditions  of  the  ultimatum 
was  equivalent  to  a  declaration  of  war,  and  as  such  the 
embassy  interpreted  it. 

Every  respect  was  shown  the  envoys  and  their  suit ; 
and,  when  they  departed  from  the  Tepanec  capital, 
they  were  escorted  with  due  courtesy  beyond  the 
city's  confines. 

In  a  very  short  time  after  their  departure  the  word 
went  abroad  throughout  Maxtla's  dominions  that  a 
war  was  imminent.  His  scattered  forces  began  imme- 
diately to  concentrate,  and -orders  were  issued  for  new 
levies  to  be  made  on  Tezcuco  and  his  other  dependen- 
cies for  additional  troops. 

In  due  time  the  couriers  returned  from  Tezcuco 
with  the  startling  intelligence  that  all  the  Tezcucans 
proper,  who  were  subject  to  military  duty,  had  gone  to 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  271 

attend  the  tourney  at  Tlacopan,  leaving  only  his  own 
adherents  available  for  immediate  service. 

Maxtla  was  thunderstruck  at  this  information,  for 
he  saw  in  it  the  secret  of  Tlacopan's  temerity.  His 
eyes  were  opened  to  the  fact  that  he  had  been  out- 
witted by  somebody,  and  that  Tezcuco  was  about  to 
slip  away  from  him.  His  anticipations  of  an  easy  con- 
quest of  the  little  states  opposed  to  him  assumed  a 
somewhat  doubtful  aspect,  and  instead  of  an  extended 
empire  he  saw  before  him  a  struggle  to  maintain  his 
supremacy  over  his  already  acquired  territory.  Real- 
izing -that  celerity  of  action  was  imperative,  if  he 
would  succeed,  no  time  was  lost  in  getting  ready  for 
the  strife. 

The  circumstances  attending  the  situation  pointed 
to  Tezcuco  as  the  probable  field  of  contention,  and 
troops  were  therefore  sent  forward  to  that  locality  as 
rapidly  as  organization  was  effected. 

While  Maxtla  was  marshaling  his  hosts  for  war, 
Macua  and  his  confederates  were  not  idle  at  Tlacopan. 

When  the  concourse  of  people,  which  had  assembled 
to  witness  the  tourney,  quietly  melted  away  at  its  close, 
preparations  were  at  once  begun  to  get  the  allied  armies 
into  a  condition  of  mobility.  It  was  not  expected  that 
Maxtla  would  accede  to  the  demands  made  in  the  ulti- 
matum, so  the  work  of  organization  went  on. 

In  the  evening  of  the  same  day  on  which  the  em- 
bassy had  audience  with  Maxtla,  advance  couriers 
reached  Tlacopan  with  his  reply.  Its  import  was  an- 
ticipated, but  definite  action  could  not  be  taken  before 
it  arrived. 

Orders  were  immediately  issued  for  the  armies  to 
be  ready  to  move  for  concentration  the  next  morning. 


272  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

It  was  no  longer  a  secret  that  war  was  to  be  waged 
with  the  Tepanec  king,  and  great  excitement  and 
bustle  prevailed  on  the  heels  of  the  tournament.  The 
excitement  was  of  the  profound  and  solemn  sort  which 
is  peculiar  to  preparations  preceding  a  sanguinary 
strife  for  supremacy  between  opposing  armies,  espe- 
cially with  a  semi-civilized  people.  The  priests  were 
actively  engaged  in  their  incitations  to  self-immolation 
by  ceremonies  accompanied  with  dolefully  tuned  canta- 
tions,  causing  a  weirdness  to  pervade  the  very  heart  of 
the  multitude,  which  brought  a  hush  of  awe  upon  the 
scene,  giving  it  an  aspect  at  once  ominous  and  fu- 
nereal. 

All  through  the  fore  part  of  the  night  following  the 
tournament  the  secret  councils  of  Tezcuco  were  mov- 
ing in  a  disorganized  but  orderly  procession  away 
from  Tlacopan,  going  to  the  place  of  armament.  When 
the  morning  dawned,  an  army  of  them  might  have 
been  seen  massed  on  the  border  of  lake  Tezcuco,  east 
of  the  city.  Some  of  them  were  already  armed,  while 
others  were  arming,  preparatory  to  marching  for  con- 
centration. 

The  armies  of  the  nations  of  Anahuac  were,  to  say 
the  least,  picturesque,  and,  from  a  historical  standpoint, 
worthy  of  a  brief  description. 

The  higher  grades  of  warriors — caciques,  chiefs,  etc. 
— wore,  as  a  protection  to  the  body,  a  heavy,  quilted, 
cotton  tunic,  over  which  was  usually  thrown  and  fast- 
ened their  superbly  elegant  tilmatli — mantle  of  feather- 
work.  Their  legs,  in  most  cases,  were  protected  by 
leggings  made  from  various  kinds  of  material,  and 
elaborately  fringed  with  trimmings  of  gold  and  silver, 
or  other  bright  substance.  Short  boots,  made  from 


A   PRINCE   OP   ANAHUAC.  273 

animal  skin,  or  close  fitting  moccasins  encased  their 
feet.  Their  headgear  was  varied  in  character,  often 
representing  the  head  of  some  animal,  a  fish  or  other 
object.  The  more  grotesque  and  hideous  it  was  made 
to  appear,  the  nearer  was  its  purpose  attained.  How- 
ever, the  indispensable  feather  decorations  generally 
prevailed. 

It  is  quite  safe  to  venture  the  assertion  that  the  dress 
of  the  lords  of  Anahuac  was  not  only  gorgeously  gro- 
tesque, but  truly  magnificent;  while,  on  the  other 
hand,  the  uniform  of  the  common  soldiers  was  strik- 
ingly undress,  consisting,  as  it  did,  for  the  most  part,  of 
a  plain  gird  about  the  loins,  and  a  band  of  some  kind 
to  confine  the  hair — nothing  more.  There  may  have 
been  exceptions  to  this  airiness  of  apparel,  but,  as  a 
rule,  not  enough  to  place  the  very  convenient  costume 
in  danger  of  being  superseded  by  a  more  elaborate  and 
less  airy  one. 

The  principal  arms  used  by  them  in  battle  were  the 
bow  and  arrow  and  javelin.  They  were  also  provided 
with  sling  and  dart.  These  instruments  of  warfare 
were  pointed  with  either  copper,  bone,  or  obsidian 
( itztli,  a  transparent  mineral  substance,  very  hard,  and 
capable  of  being  reduced  to  the  sharpness  of  a  razor). 

The  Indian  sword  (maquahuitl}  was  a  heavy  staff, 
on  which  were  inserted,  at  regular  intervals,  short, 
sharp  blades  of  obsidian.  This  weapon  was  used  by 
the  principal  warriors. 

The  ensemble  of  an  army  consisted  of  batallions, 
divisions  and  grand  divisions.  The  first  named  num- 
bered four  or  five  hundred  warriors ;  the  second,  six  or 
eight  thousand ;  and  the  last,  proportionately  larger ; 
each  division  and  subdivision  being  under  the  com- 


274  A    PRINCE    OF   AN  AH  U  AC. 

mand  of  a  proper  official — cacique,  or  chief.  At  the 
head  of  each  organization  was  borne  an  appropriate 
banner,  on  which  was  usually  to  be  seen  the  insignia 
of  the  commandant ;  while  the  national  standard—  the 
armorial  ensign  of  the  ruling  house — usually  indicated 
the  position  of  the  person  in  command — great  chief. 

The  ancient  standard  of  Tezcuco  was  once  more  un- 
furled to  the  breeze,  and  her  patriotic  hosts  stood  or- 
ganized, and  ready  to  receive  their  prince. 

Hualcoyotl,  accompanied  by  a  retinue  of  chosen  war- 
riors, among  whom  were  our  friends  Euetzin  and  Ca- 
cami,  both  having  been  generously  remembered  by  the 
prince  in  the  distribution  of  honors,  was  advancing  to 
assume  command.  When  discovered  by  the  army,  and 
recognized,  they  were  received  with  the  acclamation : 
"  Hualcoyotl !  Hualcoyotl !  Long  live  Hualcoyotl  and 
Euetzin !  "  The  latter  was  regarded  for  his  untiring 
efforts  in  behalf  of  Tezcuco's  independence  as  being 
entitled  to  ah1  the  honor  due  to  any  Tezcucan  living, 
and  his  people  were  ready  at  all  times  to  accord  it. 

The  hour  was  a  proud  one  to  the  two  young  men : 
To  Euetzin  in  view  of  the  crowning  of  his  labors  with 
the  grand  military  display  which  was  there  spread  out 
before  him ;  to  the  prince  for  the  opportunity  which 
placed  him  in  position  to  meet  his  cruel  persecutor  on 
equal  footing,  where  he  could  demand,  at  the  point  of 
the  javelin,  his  rights  as  the  Prince  of  Tezcuco.  He 
spoke  as  follows : 

"  Warriors,  men  of  Tezcuco :  after  many  years  of 
degradation  and  enslavement,  you  are  again  permitted 
to  stand  beneath  your  own  loved  banner,  which  was 
once  the  delight  of  our  fathers  and  the  pride  of  our 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  275 

nation.  It  has  been  trailing  in  the  dirt  for  long ;  but 
your  determined  look  assures  me  that  it  will  no  longer 
be  thus  dishonored.  There  is  no  need  for  me,  as  your 
commander,  to  say,  stand  firm  in  the  cause  of  liberty, 
for  I  read  upon  your  faces  the  will  to  do  or  die. 
Then  let  us  waste  no  time  until  Maxtla  and  his  hordes 
have  been  met  and  brought  to  feel  the  avenging  power 
of  wronged  Tezcuco's  arm.  Let  our  war  cry  be — " 
"  Hualcoyotl  and  victory  !  Hualcoyotl  and  victory  ! " 
The  words  which  the  prince  would  have  spoken 
were  left  unsaid,  and  the  acclamation  with  which  he 
was  interrupted  passed  like  a  wave  from  right  to  left, 
and  back  again.  When  quiet  was  restored,  he  only 
said: 

"  As  you  will,  and  may  your  victory  be  complete." 
The  order  was  given  to  march,  and  the  army  of 
patriotic  Tezcucans  was  quickly  in  motion,  and  on  its 
way  to  join  the  allied  armies  at  the  place  of  rendezvous. 
To  strike  the  confederate  armies  Maxtla  was  obliged 
to  march  all  his  forces  around  the  north  end  of  lake 
Tezcuco,  and  south  through  Tezcucan  territory,  as  the 
possessions  of  the  Mexican  king  were  on  the  west,  and 
and  could  not  be  crossed  except  in  disregard  of  the 
laws  of  neutrality.  It  therefore  required  several  days 
for  him  to  get  his  army  into  position  for  taking  the 
offensive.  . 

A  day  or  two  after  the  allied  armies  began  to  move, 
they  were  united  on  the  borders  of  Tezcuco,  south  of 
its  capital  city.  The  combined  army  was  formed  in  a 
hollow  square,  to  receive  its  commanding  general.  A 
procession  approached,  which  was  led  by  an  escort 
composed  of  men  who  were  peculiarly  dressed.  They 
were  dressed  more  like  hunters  than  warriors.  In  the 


276  A  PRINCE  OF  ANAHUAC. 

rear  of  the  escort  a  palanquin  was  borne  by  four  men 
who  were  dressed  in  the  same  manner  as  was  the 
escort.  When  the  square  was  reached  the  escort 
halted,  and  the  chair  was  borne  forward  into  the  in- 
closed space. 

Six  men  walked  in  front  of  the  palanquin,  in  five 
of  whom  we  would  have  recognized  Hualcoyotl,  Macua, 
tzin  Euet,  and  the  other  two  ruling  caciques.  The 
dress  of  the  sixth  person  was  the  same  as  that  worn  by 
the  men  in  the  escort,  with  the  addition  of  a  tilmatli. 
A  closer  scrutiny  would  have  made  us  acquainted  with 
his  identity,  for  in  him  we  would  have  found  an  esti- 
mable friend.  It  was  Tezcot.  He  was  the  chief  of  the 
escort  which  was  composed  of  his  friends,  the  moun- 
taineers. The  reason  for  their  being  there  in  the 
capacity  they  were  will  be  presented  later. 

When  the  center  of  the  closely  packed  square  was 
gained  the  palanquin  was  placed  on  the  ground,  and 
the  occupant  emerged  from  it.  Hualcoyotl  advanced 
to  his  side,  and,  in  a  strong  voice,  addressed  the 
army: 

"  Warriors,  friends :  When  the  good  king,  who  was 
the  father  of  him  who  now  addresses  you,  ruled  the 
people  of  Tezcuco,  he  was  surrounded  by  wise  men 
and  great  generals.  Many  of  them  shared  his  fate, 
which  was  death  at  the  hands  of  the  despoilers  of  our 
country.  One  of  them,  however,  a  wise  man  and 
great  warrior,  who  was  counted  lost,  escaped  from 
Tezcuco,  and  became  an  unknown  refugee.  By  the 
stipulations  of  coalition,  under  which  this  army  is 
organized,  I  should  be  its  commander;  but,  for  the 
good  of  our  cause,  I  put  aside  personal  ambition  and 
the  honor  the  high  position  would  confer  upon  me,  and 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  277 

will  name  as  your  commander  Ixtlilchoatl,  the  great 
warrior,  to  whom  I  have  just  alluded,  who  for  more 
than  eight  years  has  been  living  alone  in  a  fastness  on 
yonder  mountains,  and  known  to  the  mountaineers  as 
Ix,  the  hermit.  Warriors,  in  this  wise  man,  who  has 
returned  to  his  own,"  continued  the  prince,  taking  the 
hermit  by  the  arm,  "  behold  your  general.  Long  live 
Ixtlilchoatl ! " 

The  acclamation,  with  which  the  prince  concluded, 
was  taken  up  by  the  army,  and  vociferated  with  a  will, 
when  it  again  became  still. 

"  For  this  day  I  have  prayed,"  spoke  Ix.  "  Not  that 
I  might  stand  where  I  do  at  this  moment,  but  that 
Tezcuco  might  find  friends  to  help  her  in  a  mighty 
effort  to  regain  her  freedom.  To  you,  who  are  allied 
with  us  to-day  in  the  cause  of  liberty,  my  heart  goes 
out  in  gratitude.  Our  people  will  remember  you  in 
kindness  always,  no  matter  what  may  be  their  condi- 
tion. I  have  faith  in  the  patriotism  of  this  great  army, 
and  trust  in  its  might.  Be  firm  when  the  shock  of 
strife  shall  come,  and  the  victory  will  be  yours." 

When  Ix  concluded,  he  reentered  the  palanquin  and 
was  borne  back  whence  he  came.  At  the  same  time 
the  armies  began  to  move  for  the  purpose  of  taking  up 
their  respective  positions,  to  wait  for  the  advancing 
host  of  Maxtla  to  offer  them  battle. 


278  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

IN  order  to  make  plain  certain  things  which  have 
come  under  our  notice  in  the  last  two  chapters,  it 
will  be  necessary  for  us  to  go  back  to  Tezcot's,  and 
the  hermit's  cave,  and  note  the  doings  of  our  moun- 
tain friends  in  the  interim  between  the  departure 
from  there  of  Euetzin  and  Cacami  and  the  holding 
of  the  tournament  at  Tlacopan. 

Mitla  became  a  changed  girl.  She  had  lived  to 
learn  that  older  hearts  than  Oxie's  were  liable  to  im- 
pressions that  wound,  and  that  to  fall  in  love  with  a 
noble  was,  indeed,  a  serious  matter  for  a  mere  moun- 
tain girl  to  do.  Her  formerly  bright  and  joyous  life 
was  clouded.  She  went  about  her  duties  with  a  half- 
heartedness,  and  seemed  most  contented  when  alone. 
Her  parents  and  sister  divined  the  cause  of  the  great 
change  in  her  disposition,  and  left  her  to  occupy  the 
time  as  best  suited  her.  Knowing  so  well  her  gen- 
erous nature,  and  how  deep  was  her  gratitude  to  the 
tzin  for  her  rescue  from  the  rascally  Tepanec  soldiers, 
they  were  not  surprised  that  her  feelings  toward  him 
had  become  those  of  a  consuming  passion.  They 
treated  her  with  true  sympathy,  deeply  regretting  the 
circumstances  which  had.  led  to  her  unfortunate  con- 
dition of  mind. 

Tezcot  became  an  almost  constant  companion  of 
the  prince  and  Ix,  and  appeared  to  have  lost  all  in- 
terest in  his  hunting  exploits. 


A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  279 

The  management  of  the  surveillance  over  the  her- 
mitage, which  had  been  established  for  the  protection 
of  the  prince,  had  been  intrusted  to  Meiike,  who  per- 
formed the  duty  faithfully,  securing  the  vicinity  of 
the  cavern-retreat  from  intrusion. 

The  prince,  on  being  introduced  to  the  hermitage, 
thought  he  saw  something  familiar  about  its  myste- 
rious occupant,  and,  becoming  interested,  finally  dis- 
covered who  he  was.  He  was  at  a  loss  to  understand 
why  the  hermit,  for  several  days,  persistently  avoided 
all  allusions  to  himself,  unless  it  was  to  satisfy  a  whim. 
The  fact  of  the  matter  was  that  Ix  wished  to  fathom 
the  character  and  disposition  of  the  prince  before 
openly  declaring  himself.  When  he  found  Hualcoyotl 
to  be  a  worthy  son  of  his  illustrious  father,  the  hermit 
gave  him  his  cordial  adherence  and  valuable  counsel. 

It  is  true  that  Ix  gave  the  prince  and  tzin  his  in- 
valuable assistance  on  the  occasion  of  the  latter's  first 
visit  to  the  hermitage;  and  it  was  he  that  inserted 
certain  signs  and  language  in  the  document  which 
Euetzin  bore  away  with  him,  that  assured  the  king 
of  Tlacopan  of  its  genuineness,  and  secured  his  con- 
fidence in  the  bearer.  Of  this,  however,  the  prince 
and  tzin  were  not  aware  at  the  time. 

Though  only  a  boy,  with  no  particular  interest  in 
government  affairs,  when  his  father's  sovereignty  was 
so  suddenly  and  disastrously  terminated,  the  prince 
remembered  Ixtlilchoatl  as  a  person  who  stood  high 
in  the  councils  of  the  king.  His  discovery  of  so  wise 
and  experienced  an  adherent  was  highly  gratifying  to 
him,  for  he  felt  that  he  needed  just  such  a  man  to 
give  him  counsel.  So,  after  due  consideration,  he  de- 
cided to  make  him  his  supervisor  of  military  affairs, 


280  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

which,  subsequently,  led  to  his  being  placed  in  com- 
mand of  the  allied  armies. 

Tezcot  was  taken  into  the  secret  of  Ix's  identity, 
which  brought  an  acknowledgment  from  him  as  to  his 
own  nativity.  He  was  a  descendant  of  the  Acolhuans, 
whose  gentle  nature  he  inherited,  though  not  a  born 
Tezcucan.  The  prince  and  Ix  welcomed  him  to  their 
councils,  and  he  became  an  almost  daily  participant  in 
their  deliberations. 

Hualcoyotl  had  always  been  of  a  thoughtful  turn  of 
mind,  and,  as  an  occupant  of  a  lonely  hermit's  cave, 
could  scarcely  have  been  expected  to  put  aside  a  habit 
which  had  become  a  characteristic.  In  the  hours  of 
restraint  which  he  was  compelled  to  endure  he  might 
have  been  found  often  in  a  state  of  abstraction,  when 
visions  of  future  weal,  and,  perhaps,  exaltation  to  the 
high  position  which  his  royal  ancestors  had  filled,  would 
occupy  his  thoughts.  In  these  absent  moods,  which 
were  only  waking  dreams,  it  was  natural  that  his  favor- 
ites should  be  brought  into  an  imaginary  existence,  to 
give  to  his  fancies  a  semblance  of  reality.  Who  but 
Itlza,  of  Zelmonco,  could  have  shared  his  dreamings 
as  a  queen,  the  partner  of  his  fancied  exaltation,  since 
the  affectionate  regard  of  his  boyhood  for  her  had, 
through  a  later  contact,  suddenly  developed  into  a  pas- 
sionate desire  to  possess  her  for  his  own.  And  now 
that  there  was  reason  to  hope  for  the  early  restoration 
of  Tezcuco  to  her  former  place  among  the  nations  of 
Anahuac,  this  desire  was  further  strengthened  by  the 
possibilities  to  which  such  a  state  of  affairs  would  give 
rise. 

On  the  occasion  of  his  brief  stop  at  Zelmonco  villa, 
while  journeying  toward  the  mountains,  he  resolved,  as 


A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  28 1 

may  be  remembered,  that,  should  the  circumstances 
warranting  it  ever  obtain,  she  should  become  his  queen; 
and  the  resolution  had  lost  none  of  its  force,  but,  on 
the  other  hand,  had  become  a  fixed  purpose.  So  it 
happened  that  the  drifting  of  events,  and  the  condi- 
tions attending  them,  pointed  to  the  wrecking  of  some- 
body's hopes,  which,  apparently,  only  waited  a  conven- 
ient season  for  their  realization. 

**        *        *        #        #        *        *        * 

Successful  beyond  his  most  sanguine  expectations 
in  the  achievements  which  crowned  his  second  visit  to 
Macua,  King  of  Tlacopan,  on  which  occasion  he  found 
himself  a  conspicuous  figure  in  the  midst  of  an  assem- 
bly of  men  high  in  authority,  who  only  required  the 
encouragement  of  a  promise  of  success  to  make  them 
the  determined  allies  of  Tezcuco  in  a  war  with  Maxtla, 
Euetzin's  first  impulse  was  to  go  immediately  and  com- 
municate the  good  news  to  the  prince ;  but,  after  calmly 
weighing  the  matter,  changed  his  mind,  and  proceeded 
first  to  arrange  for  the  massing  and  equipping  of  the 
secret  councils  of  Tezcuco  preparatory  to  their  joining 
the  allied  army.  When  this  work  was  about  com- 
pleted he  left  the  chiefs  of  councils  to  finish  it,  and, 
with  Cacami  and  a  strong  guard  of  Tlacopau  soldiers, 
set  out  with  a  view  to  escorting  Hualcoyotl  in  from  the 
mountains.  At  the  same  time  he  carried  an  urgent 
request  from  Macua,  the  King,  for  the  prince  to  repair 
to  his  palace,  to  remain  the  guest  of  his  majesty  until 
the  beginning  of  hostilities,  when  he  could  take  his 
proper  position  at  the  head  of  the  army. 

On  arriving  in  the  vicinity  of  Tezcot's,  a  suitable  spot 
was  found  for  an  encampment,  and  the  soldiers  were 
left  to  occupy  it,  while  the  tzin  and  his  companion 
went  on  to  the  hunter's  alone. 


282  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

The  friendvS  arrived  at  the  mountaineer's  house  in 
the  afternoon,  and,  as  luck  would  have  it,  found  the 
hunter  at  home.  They  were  received  in  a  very  friendly 
manner  by  the  family,  and  made  to  feel  that  they  were 
most  welcome.  Mitla  was  not  so  demonstrative  as  the 
others,  but  not  less  happy  that  such  was  the  case. 
She  could  suppress  all  outward  exhibition  of  her  feel- 
ings, but  could  not  obscure  the  passionate  light  which 
shone  from  her  dark  eyes  as  they  rested  on  him  whom 
she  loved  to  the  verge  of  idolatry.  Euetzin  saw  the 
expression  of  gladness,  intense  in  its  fervidness,  which 
greeted  him,  and,  while  Cacami  occupied  the  attention 
of  the  rest  of  the  family,  found  opportunity  to  say : 

"  I  read  my  welcome  in  your  eyes,  Mitla,  which  are 
wonderfully  bright  to-day,  and  full  of  gladness.  Their 
language  is  better  than  words,  for  words  are  some- 
times deceptive." 

"  My  eyes  would  always  betray  my  feelings,  yet  I  do 
not  care  now,  for  I  would  have  you  know  how  truly 
glad  I  am  that  you  are  here,"  she  replied,  the  expres- 
sion of  pleasure  deepening,  if  possible,  in  its  intensity. 

"  I  am  glad  if  I  bring  you  pleasure.  It  is  worth  a 
longer  journey  than  we  have  made  to  see  you  looking 
so  happy,"  he  returned. 

"  I  wish  that  words  were  not  sometimes  deceptive," 
she  replied,  putting  a  marked  stress  on  the  expression 
which  she  borrowed  from  him,  "  then  would  I,  indeed, 
be  happy  at  hearing  you  say  that." 

"You  do  not  doubt  my  sincerity,  Mitla?"  he  ques- 
tioned, slightly  confused  at  having  his  own  words  ap- 
plied to  himself. 

"  No,  I  do  not  doubt  your  sincerity;  at  least,  not  your 
desire  to  be  so — that  would  be  ungenerous ;  yet  I  can 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  283 

not  help  feeling  that  your  desire  to  give  me  pleasure 
causes  you  to  say  what  your  mind,  not  your  heart, 
suggests."  This  was  said,  accompanied  by  an  appeal- 
ing look  which  the  tzin  could  not  fail  to  observe.  He 
said,  feelingly : 

"  I  am  very,  very  sorry  that  you  feel  so,  for  nothing 
that  I  can  say  will  make  you  feel  differently."  These 
words  were  true,  and  yet  not  true.  Doubting,  as  he 
did,  the  character  of  the  sentiment  which  her  presence 
ever  inspired,  honor  still  forbade  the  utterance  of  the 
declaration  which  would  have  made  them  untrue,  yet 
the  declaration  might  have  been  consistently  made.  It 
was  doubt  alone,  then,  which  made  them  true. 

"  I  am  sure  you  speak  truly,  and  that  you- will  be 
generous  in  your  thoughts,  forgiving  a  feeling  in  me 
which  is  beyond  my  control,"  she  said,  giving  him  a 
look  at  once  tristful  and  yearning. 

"  I  shall  not  try  to  controvert  your  feelings,  for  they 
may  be  just,"  he  answered,  kindly.  "  But,  Mitla,  I 
must  be  about  my  business.  Our  stay,  must  be  very 
short  on  the  mountains ;  the  time  allowed  us  for  com- 
ing and  returning  will  not  admit  of  an  hour's  exten- 
sion. However,  I  will  try  to  find  a  little  time  in 
which  to  talk  with  you  before  we  go  away."  Her 
answer  to  this  was  an  approving  smile ;  and  the  tzin 
turned  to  Tezcot  and  informed  him  as  to  the  object  of 
their  mission,  and  the  necessity  of  its  hasty  accom- 
plishment. The  hunter  was  quick  to  appreciate  the 
situation,  and  immediately  set  about  getting  ready  to 
accompany  them  to  the  hermit's  cave. 

Passing  over  the  explanations  which  followed  the 
party's  arrival  at  the  cavern,  and  the  arrangements 
which  led  up  to  the  situation  as  we  left  it  at  Tlacopan, 


284  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

except  to  say  that  Euetzin  and  Cacami  learned  with 
astonishment  and  pleasure  the  true  character  of  the 
hermit,  and  rejoiced  with  Hualcoyotl  in  view  of  the 
prospective  restoration  to  Tezcuco  of  her  great  general. 

All  saw  the  importance  of  Ix's  presence,  and  as  well 
that  of  the  prince,  at  Tlacopan,  and  not  a  moment  was 
lost  in  getting  ready  to  leave  the  hermitage. 

Ix  was  loth  to  part  from  his  friend  Tezcot,  who  had 
done  him  uncounted  acts  of  kindness,  and  relieved 
many  of  his  lonely  hours  with  his  presence.  He  con- 
ceived the  idea  of  forming  a  bodyguard  for  himself, 
and  proposed  that  his  friend  should  be  made  its  chief. 
The  project  was  warmly  seconded  by  the  prince  and 
tzin,  and  pressed  so  earnestly  by  all,  that  the  hunter 
finally  yielded,  with  the  proviso,  however,  that  his 
friends,  the  mountaineers,  should  be  asked  to  form  the 
guard.  This  was  agreed  to,  which  resulted  in  the 
acquiescence  of  the  hunters,  and  their  appearance  with 
the  army,  as  we  have  seen. 

The  friends  left  the  hermitage  with  varied  emotions, 
which  we  will  not  try  to  interpret.  They  went  slowly 
down  the  side  of  the  mountain  into  the  long  ravine, 
thence  out  upon  a  more  cheerful  lay  of  the  ground, 
where  they  found  the  walking  more  to  their  liking. 
They  were  in  no  hurry  to  reach  the  hunter's  home ; 
for  darkness,  they  decided,  should  cover  their  entrance 
to  it. 

A  half  hour  after  the  arrival  of  the  party  at  Tezcot's 
found  Cacami  on  his  way  to  the  camp  of  the  soldiers 
to  inform  them  of  the  intended  early  departure  for  the 
valley  on  the  morrow ;  and  also  to  make  a  detail  of 
men  to  be  at  the  hunter's  at  an  early  hour  in  the 
morning,  to  bear  the  palanquin  in  which  the  hermit 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  285 

was  to  make  the  journey.  At  the  same  time  Euetzin 
and  Mitla  were  out  for  a  quiet  talk.  They  were  just 
approaching  the  little  knoll  where  their  last  meeting 
occurred  some  weeks  before,  and  he.  was  saying : 

"  This  spot  would  presently  become  memorable  to  us 
if  our  meetings  on  it  should  be  continued." 

"  Yes,  and  you  might  add,  for  me,  at  least,  not  less 
endeared  than  memorable,"  she  replied. 

"  I  shall  take  pleasure  in  looking  back  to  it,  be 
assured,  Mitla,  and  will  try  to  imagine  that  I  see  you 
seated  upon  it  in  quiet  happiness,"  he  said,  as  they 
were  sitting  down.  "  And  I  am  going  to  ask  that  you 
will  permit  your  thoughts  to  occasionally  dwell  upon 
this  hour,  and  that  other;  for,  Mitla,  I  wish  to  be 
remembered." 

"  Can  it  be,  tzin  Euet,  that  you  deem  it  possible  for 
me  to  forget  you,  though  a  cycle  in  years  were  added 
to  my  natural  life  ?  How  little  do  you  understand  the 
heart  of  woman,  especially  mine,  so  full  of  undying 
gratitude,"  returned  the  stricken  maiden,  her  voice 
suddenly  subsiding  in  a  hush  of  sadness ;  for  his  words 
told  her  that  the  door  of  his  heart  was  still  shut 
against  her. 

"  You  say  truly,  Mitla ;  I  am,  indeed,  incapable  of 
understanding  the  heart  of  woman,  or  I  would  not  be 
continually  saying  things  which  should  be  left  unsaid. 
I  know  very  well  that  for  either  of  us  to  forget  is  an 
impossibility ;  for,  to  do  so,  it  would  be  necessary  to 
forget  an  incident,  the  terrible  circumstances  of  which 
are  indelibly  fixed  upon  each  of  our  memories.  You 
must  forgive  my  blundering,  and  believe  me  truly 
regretful,  Mitla,  that  I  am  so  thoughtless  of  speech," 
said  he,  contritely. 


286  A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC. 

"  There  is  nothing  to  forgive.  I  ain  foolishly  sensi- 
tive, that  is  all,"  she  answered,  with  a  sigh.  "  Forget 
it." 

"  No,  Mitla,  I  shall  not  forget  it,"  he  replied,  "  but 
will  only  let  it  pass,  to  be  a  reminder,  in  the  future, 
that  I  must  guard  my  tongue." 

"As  you  please,  but,  pray,  do  not  allow  it  to  annoy 
you,"  she  returned,  with  an  effort  at  cheerfulness. 

Seeing  the  effort,  and  thinking  to  encourage  it,  the 
tzin  said  : 

"  Now  3Tou  appear  more  like  yourself — more  like 
the  Mitla  I  first  knew.  Cheerfulness  is  natural  to  you, 
and  you  should  continually  court  its  presence,  for  its 
absence  leaves  you  a  loser." 

"  I  am  sorry  if  it  does,  for  I  fear  it  has  forever  gone 
from  me,"  she  answered,  falling  into  the  same  sad 
vein  again. 

"  I  can  tell  you,  Mitla,  what  will  restore  your  cheer- 
fulness," suddenly  spoke  the  tzin,  as  if  a  happy  thought 
had  just  then  come  to  him,  which  caused  her  to  look 
up  expectantly.  "  Come  with  your  father  to  Tlacopan, 
and  shoot  for  the  archers'  prize,  which  the  king  has 
offered." 

"On  what  occasion  is  the  prize  to  be  awarded?  I 
am  not  informed,"  she  questioned. 

"  That  is  true ;  you  could  hardly  have  heard  it. 
There  is  to  be  a  great  tournament  soon,  at  Tlacopan, 
in  which  women  will  contest  with  bow  and  arrow  for 
a  beautiful  prize.  Your  father  and  others  are  going, 
and  you  can  come  with  them.  It  will  do  you  good 
to  be  there  and  become  interested  in  the  contest." 

"  It  would  be  very  foolish  of  me  to  think  of  winning 
a  prize  in  a  contest  with  archers  who  have  had  ex- 
perience in  the  arena,"  she  replied,  dubiously. 


A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  287 

"  I  do  not  think  so.  Your  arrow  is  as  true  as  any 
that  will  be  there  on  that  day.  Your  success  would 
depend  on  the  deliberation  with  which  your  shooting 
is  done.  If  you  are  able  to  compose  yourself,  under 
such  circumstances,  I  think  you  could  win  the  prize," 
he  said,  persuasively. 

"  Would  it  please  you  to  have  me  go  and  shoot  for 
the  prize?"  she  asked,  artlessly. 

"  It  would,  indeed,  please  me,  Mitla  ;  and  I  am  sure 
your  chances  for  winning  it  are  as  good  as  the  best," 
he  replied,  with  a  sincerity  equaling  her  simplicity.  His 
answer  decided  the  matter  in  her  mind,  for  to  please, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  be  near  him,  she  would  have 
done  anything  in  reason.  She  said,  by  way  of  ac- 
quiescence : 

"  If  my  father  will  not  object,  I  will  go,  if  only  in 
obedience  to  your  wish." 

"  I  am  grateful  for  your  consideration  of  my  wishes, 
Mitla,  and  shall  hold  it  an  honor  to  have  been  in- 
strumental in  bringing  into  the  arena  an  archer  who, 
I  am  certain,  will  do  credit  to  herself  and  her  friends. 
I  will  obtain  your  father's  consent ;  so  you  may  con- 
sider it  settled  that  I  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
you  shoot  at  the  tourney." 

She  answered  smilingly,  and  with  evident  satisfac- 
tion: 

"  I  hope  you  will  not  be  disappointed  in  your  debu- 
tante." 

"  I  am  sure  I  shall  not  be,  even  should  she  fail  to 
win,"  he  rejoined,  pleased  at  the  happy  change  the 
idea  had  produced  in  her. 

After  some  little  time  spent  in  explanations  and  talk 
about  the  tournament  they  were  interrupted  by  Ca- 


288  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

cami  coming  along,  on  his  return  from  the  soldiers' 
camp.  They  joined  him,  and  together  went  into  the 
house. 

The  next  morning  found  the  hunter's  house  a  scene 
of  lively  preparations  for  the  departure  of  the  tzin  and 
his  party.  A  rude  palanquin  had  been  hastily  con- 
structed in  which  to  transport  the  hermit,  who  was  not 
considered  equal  to  the  accomplishment  of  the  journey 
on  foot.  Hualcoyotl  had  been  furnished  by  the  tzin 
with  a  Tlacopan  warrior's  outfit,  which  would  secure 
him  from  detection. 

The  soldiers  who  had  been  detailed  to  bear  the  pal- 
anquin were  early  on  the  ground,  and  everything  was 
in  readiness  for  moving. 

Mitla  was  sadly  disappointed  in  the  result  of  her 
meeting  with  the  tzin  ;  there  appeared  to  be  no  cause 
for  hope  in  a  requital  of  her  great  love  by  a  return  of 
his.  When  the  moment  came  for  parting  she  would 
have  slipped  away  to  hide  the  signs  of  her  despair, 
which  she  felt  must  be  apparent ;  but  the  tzin  prevented 
it  by  insisting  on  her  going  a  short  distance  with  him. 
So  it  happened,  when  the  cortege  moved  away  from 
the  house,  she  was  walking  at  his  side ;  while  Oxie, 
vivacious  and  happy,  walked  and  talked  with  the 
prince. 

The  opportunity  for  the  development  of  Oxie's  sud- 
denly acquired  admiration  for  Hualcoyotl  into  a  stronger 
sentiment  had  not  been  afforded,  as  in  the  case  of  Mitla 
for  Euetzin;  she  was,  therefore,  under  no  restraint, 
though  in  that  peculiar  mental  condition  which  would 
have  required  but  little  encouragement  to  arouse  a 
passionate  sentiment  which  was  only  slumbering,  and 
not  profoundly  either. 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  289 

The  tzin  had  secured  the  hunter's  promise  that  Mitla 
should  accompany  friends  to  Tlacopan,  to  be  present 
at  the  tourney  and  contest  for  the  king's  prize.  On 
learning  this  she  became  quite  cheerful,  in  view  of  the 
fact  that  she  would  soon  see  him  again,  and  the  part- 
ing, as  a  consequence,  had  comparatively  little  of  sad- 
ness in  it  for  her. 

Good-byes  were  said,  and  the  hunter  and  his  daugh- 
ters returned  to  their  home,  feeling  that  sense  of  lone- 
liness which  ever  follows  the  breaking  up  of  associa- 
tions that  have  become  dear  to  the  heart. 

The  prince  bade  adieu  to  the  mountains,  in  the  fast- 
nesses of  which  he  had  suffered  so  much,  with  no  feel- 
ings of  regret.  Ix  had  learned  to  love  the  solitude  of  his 
hermitage,  and,  while  rejoicing  in  the  prospect  of  being 
restored  to  his  people  and  country,  felt  a  tinge  of  sad- 
ness as  he  cast  his  eyes  for  the  last  time  toward  the 
mountain  which  had  given  him  security  for  eight  long 
years. 


2QO  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

THE  battles  of  the  Anahuacans  were  not  fought 
on  scientific  principles.  They  had  no  conception 
of  even  the  ordinary  maneuvers  of  an  army.  What 
they  did  was  done  by  main  force  and  strategem.  Their 
tactics  were  the  result  of  untutored  cunning,  rather 
than  intelligent  design.  To  be  sure,  their  armies  were 
organized — as  has  been  previously  described — and,  with 
their  gaud}*  and  glittering  war  paraphernalia  of  gorge- 
ously decorated  banners,  bright  shields,  helmets,  and 
cuirasses,  presented  a  sight  truly  magnificent — accord- 
ing to  the  story  of  writers  contemporaneous  with  the 
conquerors — as  they  moved  forward  in  "  so  admirable 
order."  They  usually  aimed  to  overwhelm  an  adver- 
sary, especially  if  the  strength  of  numbers  was  on  their 
side.  They  advanced  amid  the  noises  of  rude  drums, 
trumpets,  and  other  instruments,  singing  their  war 
songs,  and  vociferating  their  war  cries,  which  was,  no 
doubt,  a  kind  of  whistle-to-keep-up-your-courage  pro- 
ceeding. When  on  the  defensive  they  resorted  to  cun- 
ningly devised  ambuscades  and  other  sudden  surprises. 
They  also  practiced  that  peculiar  manner  of  fighting 
common  with  savages,  known  as  guerilla  warfare,  in 
which  men  have  stooped  to  engage,  in  this  nineteenth 
century,  who  claimed  to  be  civilized. 

Ixtlilchoatl's   plans  for  meeting  his  adversary  had 
been  decided  upon.      He  purposed  standing  on  the 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  2QI 

defensive,  and,  if  Maxtla  was  not  informed  as  to  the 
make-up  of  his  army,  felt  that  he  could  defeat  him: 
He  accordingly,  at  their  request,  placed  three  grand 
divisions — those  of  Tlacopan  and  the  other  two  allies 
— in  front  to  meet  the  onslaught  of  the  enemy,  while 
two  divisions  of  Tezcucans  were  conveniently  located 
to  support  them.  The  right  of  his  line  was  made 
especially  strong,  in  accordance  with  his  plan  of  de- 
fense. The  sixth  grand  division,  the  flower  of  the 
Tezcucan  councils,  was  situated  some  distance  to  the 
left,  and  ordered  to  remain  in  concealment  behind  a 
strip  of  woods  until  the  engagement  was  fairly  opened, 
when  it  was  to  advance  quickly  and  attack  the  enemy 
from  that  direction.  Thus  disposed,  the  army  awaited 
the  assault  of  the  foe. 

The  Tepanec  army  was  splendidly  caparisoned  and 
equipped,  and,  as  it  marched  across  the  country  with 
its  gorgeous  banners  flapping  in  the  breeze,  and  the 
glittering  armor  and  other  belongings  of  its  warriors 
scintillating  in  the  sun's  refulgent  rays,  left  behind  it 
the  impression  that  it  was  an  invincible  force.  The 
people,  whose  hearts  beat  in  sympathy  with  those  who 
were  to  oppose  the  mighty  aggregation,  despaired  of 
its  defeat  as  they  looked  upon  its  dazzling  splendor. 
It  was  clearly  the  stronger  of  the  two  opposing  bellig- 
erents in  equipment  if  not  in  numbers,  and  yet,  the 
difference  was  more  than  equalized  by  the  spirit  of 
determination,  which  inspired  the  hearts  of  its  oppo- 
nents, especially  the  Tezcucans,  who  had  witnessed 
their  country  wasting  under  the  hand  of  oppression, 
their  homes  made  desolate  by  poverty  and  distress, 
and  their  people  gradually  sinking  into  a  condition 
of  ignorance  and  degradation,  while,  in  the  advancing 


2Q2  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

hosts  of  Maxtla  they  recognized  the  power  which  had 
wrought  these  disheartening  deteriorations.  Was  it 
not  enough  to  make  each  Tezcucan  arm  a  nemesis  in 
itself,  when  the  sufferer  and  the  author  of  his  suffering 
stood  face  to  face,  on  equal  footing? 

Some  of  the  allied  armies  were  as  gaudily,  if  not  so 
richly,  accoutered  as  their  adversary.  The  Tezcucans, 
however,  although  well  armed,  were  indifferently 
dressed,  and  remarkably  free  from  tinseled  decoration, 
except  in  a  few  instances  among  the  chiefs. 

Maxtla,  on  learning  that  his  enemies  were  in  the 
field,  determined  to  attack  them  at  once,  as  delay 
would  give  them  time  to  strengthen  and  perfect  their 
organization,  in  which  he  was,  to  a  certain  extent, 
correct ;  for  recruits  and  reinforcements  from  various 
points  were  hourly  arriving  to  swell  the  allied  army. 

He  was  not  aware  of  the  deliberate  manner  in  which 
the  rising  had  been  brought  about,  and  expected  to 
meet  in  the  Tezcucan  insurgents  only  a  mob  of  un- 
disciplined rebels.  He  had  yet  to  learn  how  perfectly 
they  were  organized,  and  that  Ixtlilchoatl  was  in 
command. 

On  came  the  imperial  hosts,  intent  upon  crushing 
the  insurrectionists  and  their  allies  at  a  single  blow. 
Ixtlilchoatl's  advance  sentinels  were  forced  back  upon 
the  main  body  of  his  warriors,  and,  with  hideous  yells 
and  a  multiplicity  of  deafening  noises,  the  minions  of 
Maxtla  swooped  down  upon  the  waiting  confederates. 

A  perfect  silence  held  the  expectant  lines  of  the 
patriotic  allies.  The  showers  of  arrows  and  other 
missiles  which  fell  about  and  on  them  moved  them 
not.  When  the  moment  for  action  came,  a  shout  of 
defiance  went  up  from  them,  and  the  confident  hosts 
of  the  enemy  were  given  a  reception  they  were  not 


A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHtTAC.  293 

looking  for.  The  javelin  was  used  with  telling  effect, 
and  the  advancing  lines  of  Maxtla's  vassals  were 
shaken  from  right  to  left,  and  the  force  of  his  onslaught 
broken.  For  a  moment  the  attacking  warriors  were 
checked,  and  appeared  to  waver ;  but,  quickly  recover- 
ing, renewed  the  assault,  and  it  now  became  a  matter 
of  force  in  numbers.  In  this  Maxtla  had  the  advantage 
and  Ix's  left  was  forced  back,  as  it  was  expected  it 
would  be.  His  right,  however,  being  well  supported, 
held  the  first  advantage  gained,  and  pressed  the  enemy 
hard.  The  left  continued  to  fall  back  slowly,  though 
contesting  every  inch  of  ground.  This  encouraged  the 
Tepanec  leaders,  and  they  poured  their  reserve  forces 
onto  this  point,  thinking  to  crush  the  slowly  retreating 
divisions.  To  an  eye  witness  the  situation  at  this 
moment  would  have  looked  very  unfavorable  for 
Ixtlilchoatl  and  his  prince,  if  not  absolutely  critical. 
But  now  was  the  time  for  the  sixth  grand  division  of 
Tezcucans  to  strike  where  a  stroke  was  least  expected. 
Its  commander  was  prompt  to  take  advantage  of  the 
opportunity,  and  out  from  the  thick  woods  poured  a 
host  of  vengeful  warriors,  with  Tezcuco's  prince  at  their 
head.  The  battle-cry  of  "  Hualcoyotl  and  Victory  " 
struck  upon  the  ear  of  the  enemy  like  a  knell,  as  they 
fell  upon  the  rear  of  his  right  like  an  avalanche  of  de- 
struction. The  retreating  left  took  up  the  cry  and 
leaped  forward  with  a  "will;  the  middle,  or  center, 
Macua's  splendid  division  of  Tlacopans,  reechoed  it, 
and  it  soon  reached  the  right,  the  warriors  of  which 
sent  back  an  inspiring  shout,  and  from  it  gathered  re- 
newed strength  for  the  conflict,  which  now  became 
one  of  fierceness  and  desperation. 

Many  were  the  heroic  deeds  enacted  in  that  hour  of 
terrible  and  sanguinary  strife. 


294  A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

While  the  battle  is  raging,  let  us  turn  briefly  to 
those  in  whom  we  are  specially  interested. 

Hualcoyotl,  as  we  have  seen,  led  the  grand  division 
of  Tezcucans  from  its  concealed  position  to  the  sudden 
attack  upon  the  rear  of  Maxtla's  right.  Cacami  was 
at  his  side,  and  with  his  sword,  along  with  that  of  the 
prince,  dealt  death  to  the  now  inwalled  warriors  of  the 
enemy.  Such  an  exhibition  of  fearlessness  as  these 
two  young  leaders  showed,  and  the  severe  punishment 
they  inflicted  on  the  foe  with  their  heavy  swords,  was 
an  example  which  could  not  fail  to  stir  their  followers 
to  deeds  of  savage  daring.  The  enemy  in  their  front 
became  confused  and  demoralized  by  the  impetuosity 
with  which  they  fought,  and  from  which  confusion 
they  were  not  allowed  to  recover,  but  were  forced  back 
upon  their  own  men,  carrying  demoralization  with 
them.  More  than  once  the  life  of  the  prince  was 
saved  by  Cacami 's  strong  arm,  which  seemed  to  wield 
with  magic  power  the  heavy  maquahuitl  in  his  hand. 

Tzin  Euet,  who  was  at  the  head  of  the  Tezcucans 
supporting  the  right,  was  quickly  drawn  into  the  fight 
when  the  shock  of  the  first  assault  came.  He  led  his 
warriors  gallantly  into  the  fray,  and  by  his  intrepid 
conduct  nerved  their  hands  for  the  conflict.  In  the 
midst  of  the  hottest  and  decisive  tug  of  the  strife  he 
suddenly  disappeared,  and  when  the  great  struggle 
ended  could  not  be  found. 

Ixtlilchoatl  remained  calmly  in  his  chair,  watching 
from  a  position  of  eminence "  the  progress  of  the 
mighty  struggle  in  front  of  him.  So  long  as  the 
fighting  went  on  in  accordance  with  his  plans  he  saw 
no  reason  for  disturbing  his  chiefs  by  interfering. 
However,  when  he  saw  that  Maxtla  had  fallen  into  his 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  295 

trap,  messengers  were  hurriedly  sent  with,  orders  to 
the  leaders  to  meet  the  situation,  and,  as  the  battle 
waged,  he  saw  that  he  would  win.  His  guard  of 
mountaineers,  with  Tezcot  at  their  head,  stood  ready 
to  strike  for  Ix,  the  hermit,  as  they  still  regarded  him, 
should  necessity  require  it. 

Macua,  with  his  grand  division  of  Tlacopans,  was 
doing  good  work  in  the  front  and  center.  In  the 
closing  scenes  of  the  engagement  his  warriors  gath- 
ered in  a  host  of  prisoners. 

Everything  was  now  in  the  allies'  favor.  Half  of 
Maxtla's  forces  were  surrounded,  and  the  other  half 
was  being  hard  pressed  by  as  determined  a  body  of 
warriors  as  ever  threw  a  javelin  or  swung  a  maquahuitl. 
The  Tepanec  tyrant  saw  that  the  battle  was  going 
against  him,  and  his  efforts  were  at  once  directed 
toward  extricating  his  army  from  its  precarious  posi- 
tion. The  signal  to  retreat  was  sounded,  and  the  sur- 
rounded warriors,  with  the  force  of  desperation,  fought 
their  way  through  the  human  wall  which  encircled 
them,  and  joined  the  main  body,  which  began  to 
slowly  fall  back. 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  when  the  Tepanec  army 
commenced  its  retrograde  movement.  The  victorious 
allies  followed  up  their  advantage  so  long  as  it  was 
possible,  fighting  and  harrassing  their  retreating  foe. 
Darkness  finally  came  on,  which  put  a  stop  to  the 
strife. 

It  was  not  so  much  an  object  to  kill,  with  the  Ana- 
huacans,  ordinarily,  as  it  was  to  capture. 

Prisoners  of  war  were  reserved  for  sacrifice  to  the 
gods;  and  in  order  that'greater  numbers  might  be  se- 
cured, incentives  were  held  out  to  the  soldiers  to  en- 
courage the  taking  of  them.  They  did  not  engage  in 


296  A    PRINCE    OF    ANAHUAC. 

the  barbarous  practice  of  scalping  a  fallen  foe,  but 
made  a  warrior's  standing  and  promotion  depend  on 
the  number  of  prisoners  taken  by  him  in  battle,  and 
any  violation  of  his  rights,  by  depriving  him  of  his 
due  as  a  captor,  was  severely  punished — in  extreme 
cases  by  death.  For  this  reason  their  battles  were  at- 
tended with  comparatively  little  loss  of  life. 

The  losses  of  the  allies  were  mostly  in  prisoners, 
the  number  of  their  killed  being  quite  small.  Maxtla's 
losses,  on  the  contrary,  were  chiefly  in  killed,  for  the 
reason  that  the  Tezcucans,  on  this  occasion,  fought  a 
fight  of  extermination.  At  least  one  fifth  of  the  de- 
feated army  was  left  in  the  hands  of  the  victors. 

The  victorious  allies  bivouacked  for  the  night  on  the 
field  of  battle.  The  wounded  were  cared  for  and  the 
dead  disposed  of,  while  the  prisoners  were  put  under  a 
strong  guard  and  sent  to  the  rear. 

When  order  was  brought  out  of  confusion,  and  the 
missing  warriors  reported,  Euetzin  was  found  to  be 
among  them.  This  was  a  heavy  blow  to  the  prince 
and  Ixtlilchoatl ;  for,  of  all  the  army,  he  was  the  man 
wrhom  they  would  have  had  join  them  in  rejoicing 
over  their  victory.  His  ominous  absence  robbed  it  of 
much  of  the  joy  their  triumph  would  otherwise  have 
brought  them.  They  knew  only  too  well  the  doom 
that  awaited  him  if  in  Maxtla's  hands ;  if  not  liber- 
ated, his  fate  was  sealed. 

A  council  of  war  was  held ;  and,  as  the  tzin  stood 
high  in  the  esteem  of  all  the  princes,  it  was  decided  to 
push  Maxtla  to  the  wall,  and,  if  possible,  save  the 
young  cacique  from  the  terrible  fate  of  a  prisoner  of 
war.  Ixtlilchoatl  accordingly  issued  orders  for  the 
army  to  march  at  dawn  the  next  morning,  for  the 
purpose  of  again  engaging  the  enemy  in  battle. 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC  297 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

TZIN  EUET  was  a  prisoner,  and  very  severely 
wounded.  Eagerness  to  engage  the  enemy,  and 
the  impetuosity  with  which  he  led  his  warriors  to  the 
support  of  the  allies,  brought  him,  quickly,  into  the 
thickest  of  the  fray.  He  fought  as  men  only  fight 
who  realize  the  importance  of  a  complete  victory, 
which,  in  this  instance,  depended  on  the  tenacity  of 
the  right  wing  of  the  army  in  holding  the  foe  in  check 
and  calling  for  the  engagement  of  his  whole  force  by 
pressing  him  vigorously,  which  was  according  to  Ix- 
tlilchoatl's  plan  of  defense,  and  of  which  Euetzin  was 
fully  advised. 

When  the  Tezcucan  battle-cry  was  heard  coming 
from  the  sixth  grand  division  as  it  fell  upon  the  en- 
emy's right  flank,  and  was  carried  from  left  to  right 
by  the  sister  organizations,  a  fresh  impetus  was  given 
to  the  momentum  of  the  whole  repelling  army,  and 
the  battle,  if  possible,  grew  more  fierce  and  sanguin- 
ary. In  the  struggle  which  ensued  the  tzin  was  car- 
ried into  the  very  midst  of  the  seething  mass  of  human 
tigers,  where  he  became  separated  from  his  men.  When 
too  late  to  extricate  himself,  he  discovered,  to  his  dis- 
may, that  he  was  surrounded  by  Tepanec  warriors, 
who,  seeing  in  him  an  important  capture,  struck  him 
down  with  the  javelin,  and  bore  him,  a  bleeding  pris- 
oner, from  the  field. 


298  A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

In  the  retreat  of  the  defeated  arm)-  the  prisoners 
were  placed  in  the  van — the  severely  wounded  borne 
on  stretchers.  Euetzin  was  among  the  latter,  feeling 
very  much  discouraged  in  view  of  his  almost  helpless 
condition,  though  glad  of  heart  for  the  splendid  vic- 
tory his  people  had  won. 

Soon  after  darkness  came  on,  Maxtla  called  a  halt 
and  his  shattered  forces  went  into  camp.  In  the  ar- 
rangement of  the  bivouac  the  wounded  were  placed 
apart  from  the  regular  organizations,  and  put  in 
charge  of  surgeons,  with  which  the  armies  were  well 
supplied,  and  of  whom  the  historian  has  said,  in  com- 
mendation: "  Not  with  a  view  to  prolonging  the  ill  to 
extend  the  bill,"  as  might  be  said  of  some  modern 
practitioners,  "was  their  skill  directed,  but  to  a  speedy 
restoration  of  the  patient  to  health." 

Such  a  thing  as  a  night  attack  was  never  consid- 
ered by  the  Anahuacans  in  carrying  on  a  war,  and, 
so  long  as  darkness  covered  the  earth,  an  army  of 
warriors  could  go  to  sleep  with  the  assurance  that 
they  would  not  be  disturbed  by  the  enemy.  A  guard, 
therefore,  was  not  established  anywhere  in  Maxtla's 
army,  except  about  the  prisoners.  This  left  the 
wounded  almost  free  from  surveillance. 

Soon  after  the  Tepanec  forces  went  into  camp  a 
lad,  apparently  about  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  of  age, 
and  rather  stoutly  built,  might  have  been  seen  mov- 
ing about  among  the  soldiers.  His  dress  was  some- 
what odd,  indicating  no  particular  connection  or  oc- 
cupation. When  asked  as  to  who  he  was  and  where 
he  lived,  he  answered,  evasively,  that  he  lived  over 
near  the  lake,  which  was  not  a  league  away.  He  did 
not  appear  to  be  a  person  who  might  be  suspected 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  299 

of  having  a  special  object  in  being  there,  and  require 
watching.  He  was,  therefore,  permitted  to  move  about 
of  his  own  free  will. 

During  the  evening  the  youngster  found  opportun- 
ity to  go  among  the  wounded.  He  appeared  to  be 
searching  for  someone,  for  he  scrutinized  each  per- 
son closely,  as  he  passed.  When  he  came  to  the  tzin, 
and  got  a  good  look  at  him,  his  countenance  quickly 
brightened — he  had  discovered  the  object  of  his  search. 
Gaining  Euetzin's  attention,  he  gave  him  a  sign  of 
caution,  and  moved  carelessly  on. 

The  tzin  recognized  in  the  strange  visitor  a  lad  he 
had  seen  on  several  occasions,  in  the  last  few  days  be- 
fore the  battle,  apparently  doing  duty  as  a  messenger 
for  someone  in  the  allied  army,  and  wondered  greatly 
at  his  being  in  the  Tepanec  camp.  He  was  sure  from 
the  boy's  actions  that  he  had  something  to  communi- 
cate, and  kept  on  the  lookout  for  his  return.  He  came, 
sure  enough,  and  unconcernedly  approached  the  tzin, 
who  said : 

"  Do  you  wish  to  speak  to  me?  " 

In  response  to  the  inquiry  the  lad  came  quite  close, 
and  whispered : 

"  When  the  fires  have  burned  out,  and  darkness  hides 
you,  come  to  a  tree  just  beyond  the  camp — almost  to 
the  west — where  you  will  find  help  to  escape.  Do  not 
hesitate."  Without  waiting  for  a  reply  the  strange 
youth  turned  slowly  away,  and  disappeared. 

Euetzin  was  greatly  astonished.  "What  interest 
can  the  boy  have  in  me,  that  he  is  here  to  aid  in  my  es- 
cape?" he  questioned.  "And  yet,"  he  pursued,  "he 
may  be  the  agent  of  another.  If  I  only  might,"  he 
concluded,  realizing  his  seemingly  helpless  condition. 


300  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

He  had  quite  a  little  while  in  which  to  think  over  the 
matter  before  the  fires  would  burn  sufficiently  low  to 
enable  him  to  withdraw  from  the  camp  unseen.  He 
doubted  his  ability  to  succeed,  for  he  was  feeling  very 
sore.  His  wound  was  a  serious  one,  and  that  he  might 
try  to  get  away  was  not  thought  of  by  the  doctors. 
He  knew  that  it  would  be  endangering  his  life  to  make 
the  attempt,  but  when  he  considered  that  death  was 
ahead  of  him  if  he  remained  a  prisoner,  he  concluded 
that  it  had  better  be  met  in  an  effort  to  escape  than  at 
the  hands  of  the  Tepanec  priests,  later.  Thus  per- 
suaded, he  decided  to  take  the  risk. 

When  the  time  arrived  at  which  he  thought  he 
might  safely  attempt  to  go  he  raised  himself  to  a  sitting 
posture,  and  looked  about  him  to  be  assured  that  every- 
thing was  favorable.  Nothing  could  be  seen  or  heard 
to  deter  him  from  starting-  at  once,  and  quietly  rolling 
from  the  stretcher  onto  his  hands  and  knees,  he  crawled 
slowly  and  noiselessly  from  among  the  wounded  war- 
riors, careless  as  to  whether  they  were  sleeping  or  not, 
so  long  as  his  movements  were  not  discovered.  He 
almost  forgot  his  suffering  in  the  excitement  he  ex- 
perienced from  the  hope  of  a  possible  escape,  which 
grew  stronger  as,  by  degrees,  he  approached  the  limits 
of  the  camp.  After  getting  safely  beyond  he  attempted 
to  rise  to  his  feet,  but  found  the  exertion  too  painful  to 
be  endured,  and  sank  back  upon  the  ground,  where  he 
lay  until  the  pain  subsided,  when  he  again  started  off, 
crawling.  He  had  pursued,  as  nearly  as  he  could  esti- 
mate, a  westerly  course  from  the  camp,  and  when  he 
had  gone  a  short  distance  farther  fjom  it,  stopped  to 
look  for  the  tree  alluded  to  by  the  boy.  He  discovered 
one  off  to  his  right,  which  he  concluded  must  be  the 


A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  3OI 

right  one,  and  again  resumed  his  slow  and  painful 
movement  in  its  direction.  It  proved  to  be  the  tree 
referred  to,  for,  on  coming  close  to  it,  he  was  discovered 
by  the  lad,  who  was  on  the  watch  for  him,  and  seemed 
highly  delighted  at  his  appearance. 

"I  am  so  glad!"  he  exclaimed,  "for  I  feared  you 
would  not  come." 

"  What  is  it  to  you,  boy,  whether  I  come  or  stay?  " 
asked  the  tzin,  abruptly. 

"It  is  much  to  me,  which  I  hope  you  will  live  to 
learn.  But  now,  tzin  Euet,  let  it  be  enough  for  you 
to  know  that  I  am  here  to  help  you,"  returned  the  lad 
in  some  confusion,  caused  by  tzin's  abruptness. 

"  But  I  would  like  to  know  who  you  are,  that  takes 
so  much  interest  in  my  welfare." 

"  My  name  is  Hualla,  tzin — just  Hualla,  but  you 
must  not  question  me.  Time  is  precious  to  us,  and  we 
must  hasten.  In  yonder  woods,  toward  the  lake,  we 
may  find  security.  When  we  are  there  you  shall  know 
where  I  came  from." 

"  I  already  know  where  you  came  from,  for  I  have 
seen  you  in  our  army ;  but  I  would  know  more :  I 
would  know  why  you  are  interested  in  me,"  persisted 
the  tzin. 

"We  are  losing  time;  let  us  be  off,"  returned  the 
youth,  evasively,  and  with  increasing  anxiety. 

"  Is  there  no  one  with  you?  "  questioned  the  tzin. 

"  No  one ;  I  am  alone." 

"  My  young  friend,  I  can  not  walk ;  how  then,  do  you 
imagine,  am  I  going  to  reach  those  woods  without 
assistance  ?  "  Spoken  in  a  tone  of  disappointment. 

"  I  will  assist  you.  I  am  strong,  if  not  very  large," 
was  the  confident  reply. 


302  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

"  You  are  very  good,  Hualla,  in  being  so  willing  and 
anxious  to  help  me,  but  I  fear  you  will  not  be  equal 
to  the  demands  which  my  crippled  condition  will  re- 
quire in  an  effort  to  gain  the  cover  of  yon  woods." 

"  You  will  let  me  try,  tzin ;  I  may  be  stronger  than 
you  think,"  said  the  lad,  taking  hold  of  Euetzin's  arm 
to  assist  him  to  rise. 

"  Yes,  you  may  try.  Until  you  have  done  so,  we 
will  not  despair ;  our  combined  efforts  may  prove  suc- 
cessful," said  Euetzin,  getting  onto  his  feet,  with  the 
assistance  of  the  youth. 

"  Now  lean  on  me,"  said  Hualla,  putting  his  arm 
around  the  tzin's  body.  "  In  this  way  I  think  we  can 
get  on." 

A  heroic  effort  was  now  made  by  both  to  get  away 
from  the  vicinity  of  Maxtla's  camp.  The  tzin  suffered 
intensely  at  every  step,  and  his  face,  could  it  have 
been  seen,  would  have  shown  a  deathly  pallor.  While 
the  effort  continued  he  found  it  necessary  to  gradually 
lean  more  heavily  upon  his  support,  until  the  youth, 
from  sheer  inability  to  proceed  farther,  allowed  his 
burden  to  sink  to  the  ground. 

They  had  covered  in  the  effort  quite  a  little  distance, 
and  the  lad,  though  considerably  exhausted,  was  en- 
couraged. But  just  here  a  new  complication  entered 
into  the  situation :  the  bandages  which  confined  the 
tzin's  wound  had  become  disarranged  by  his  exertions, 
and  hemorrhage  ensued.  There  was  no  alternative  in 
the  matter:  they  must  stop  and  rearrange  the  dis- 
ordered bandages. 

Stretching  himself  on  the  ground,  the  tzin  gave 
directions  to  Hualla  as  to  how  he  should  proceed,  and 
the  bleeding  was  checked.  In  performing  the  opera- 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  303 

tion,  no  woman's  fingers  ever  worked  more  gently 
than  did  Hualla's. 

The  tzin  once  more  endeavored  to  rise  to  his  feet, 
but  failed  in  the  attempt  because  of  the  extreme  pain 
it  caused  him. 

"  I  can  go  no  farther,  Hualla,"  he  said,  in  deep  dis- 
tress. 

The  lad  appeared  to  be  greatly  affected  by  the  fail- 
ure, as  Euetzin  could  discern,  even  in  the  darkness. 
He  walked  away  a  few  steps,  as  if  to  hide  his  emotion. 
Returning  presently,  he  said,  in  an  excited  tone  of 
voice : 

"  Tzin  Euet,  you  must  escape.  Macua,  my  master, 
and  Hualcoyotl— yes,  Ixtlilchoatl,  too,  would  have  it 
so.  I  will  carry  you." 

Euetzin  was  astonished  at  the  vehemence  in  the 
youth's  actions,  and  also  at  his  allusion  to  Ix  and  the 
two  princes.  He  quickly  inquired  : 

"Are  you  a  servant  to  Macua,  and  here  at  his  bid- 
ding?" 

"  Yes,  I  am  a  servant  to  Macua,  but  he  knows  noth- 
ing of  my  being  here.  I  heard  the  voice  of  sorrow 
when  it  was  discovered  that  you  were  missing,  and  in 
that  moment  resolved  to  save  you,  if  it  could  be  done," 
replied  the  youth,  fervidly. 

"  You  are  a  noble  lad,  Hualla,  and  should  I  escape  to 
live,  your  conduct  shall  be  richly  rewarded." 

"You  must  escape,"  repeated  the  youth  in  a  voice 
of  great  earnestness.  "  Get  upon  my  back,  and  I  will 
bear  you  to  the  woods." 

"  I  do  not  think  you  have  the  strength,  Hualla,  to 
do  that ;  and  if  you  had,  it  would  be  too  much  to  ex- 
pect of  you." 


304  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

"  Yes,  it  would  be  much  to  expect  of  me,  if  it  were 
not  a  case  of  life  and  death.  That  makes  the  differ- 
ence, tzin,  and  you  must  allow  me  to  make  the  at- 
tempt." 

Euetzin  was  silent  for  a  moment,  and  then  said : 

"  Hualla,  I  think  we  will  have  to  give  your  proposi- 
tion a  trial,  as  it  appears  to  be  our  only  hope,  though 
a  slight  one,  of  reaching  those  woods." 

The  tzin  was  not  a  small  man,  nor  was  he  large,  but, 
nevertheless,  a  heav)r  load  for  such  a  person  as  Hualla 
to  carry  for  any  considerable  distance.  The  feat  was 
undertaken  with  some  degree  of  success ;  and  as  the 
tzin  was  borne  along  on  the  back  of  the  youth  a  tinge 
of  shame  might  have  been  seen  to  redden  his  tawny 
brow,  brought  there  by  a  thought  of  his  unmanly  posi- 
tion, and  the  boy's  wonderful  and  almost  superhuman 
efforts  to  get  him  into  the  woods. 

Hualla  succeeded  in  covering  more  than  half  the 
distance  they  had  to  go,  but  it  was  a  fearful  draught 
upon  his  strength,  and  he  finally  had  to  succumb  from 
complete  exhaustion.  He  said  not  a  word,  but  dropped 
upon  the  ground  and  fairly  gasped  for  breath. 

Euetzin  was  deeply  moved  by  the  evident  distress 
of  the  brave  lad,  who  lay  panting  at  his  side,  and  for 
whom  he  could  do  nothing.  He  silently  waited  for 
him  to  recover,  wondering  the  while  if  there  was  not 
some  other  incentive  than  that  of  devotion  to  his 
master  back  of  the  prodigious  efforts  he  was  making 
in  his  behalf. 

Hualla  lay  perfectly  still  for  some  time,  when  he 
suddenly  got  up  and  said  : 

"  Another  effort  like  that,  tzin,  will  bring  us  safely 
within  the  woods.  If  you  are  ready,  I  will  try  again." 

"  You  will  not  try  again,  Hualla,"  replied  the  tzin, 


A   PRINCE    OP   ANAHUAC.  305 

firmly.  "  If  we  can  not  gain  the  woods  in  some  other 
way  I  will  remain  where  I  am.  You  shall  not  again 
exhaust  yourself  thus  for  my  sake." 

"  I  will  do  anything,  tzin  Euet,  to  secure  your  safe- 
ty," was  the  lad's  earnest  rejoinder. 

"  I  believe  you  would,  Hualla.  Still,  I  do  not  intend 
that  you  shall  hurt  yourself  in  doing  it.  I  can  not 
understand  why  you — a  stranger — should  exert  your- 
self to  the  extent  you  are  doing  to  secure  my  safety. 
The  thought  of  it  amazes  me." 

"  Do  not  think  of  it,  then,  tzin.  So  long  as  I  am 
pleased  to  help  you,  it  should  not  be  so  very  wonder- 
ful. I  have  my  own  reasons  for  doing  it;  let  that 
satisfy  you — until  you  are  safe,  at  least.'' 

"It  is  wonderful,  nevertheless,  my  lad.  However, 
if  it  pleases  you  to  serve  me  in  this  way,  and  the 
service  is  accepted — which  it  is,  with  unbounded  grati- 
tude— its  acceptance  should  be  without  question.  So, 
Hualla,  I'll  trouble  you  no  more  about  it.  If  you  will 
permit  me  to  lean  on  you  for  support,  we  will  make 
another  effort — such  as  we  made  in  starting  out.  I 
will  try  my  best  to  endure  the  attendant  suffering," 
said  the  tzin. 

Hualla  assisted  him  to  his  feet,  and  caught  him 
about  the  waist,  holding  him  for  a  moment,  until  he 
was  assured  of  his  ability  to  proceed.  The  pain, 
which  the  effort  cost  him,  was  great,  but,  shutting 
hard  his  teeth,  and  leaning  heavily  on  the  lad,  who 
put  forth  his  best  efforts,  the  tzin  slowly,  but  surely, 
reduced  the  distance  to  the  woods,  until,  finally,  after 
several  successful  efforts,  he  entered  its  sheltering 
confines,  where  the  two — one  bruised  and  sore,  the 
other  almost  exhausted — laid  themselves  down  to 
await  the  coming  morn,  which  was  not  very  far  away. 


306  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

AT  the  dawn  of  morning,  the  day  following  the 
one  on  which  the  great  battle  was  fought,  the 
allied  armies,  after  being  addressed  by  their  respective 
caciques,  began  to  advance,  with  a  view  to  another 
engagement  with  Maxtla,  for  the  purpose,  chiefly,  of 
securing,  if  possible,  the  liberation  of  the  prisoners  in 
his  hands.  The  chiefs,  in  addressing  their  warriors, 
dwelt  especially  on  the  capture  of  tzin  Euet,  the  man 
— as  they  expressed  it — who  had  done  so  grand  a  work 
for  Tezcuco  and  the  cause  of  liberty,  who,  above  all 
others,  they  felt,  should  enjoy  the  fruits  of  that  work, 
and  whose  release  it  was  hoped  might  be  brought 
about  by  the  further  discomfiture  of  the  enemy. 

Flushed  with  the  stimulus  of  a  great  victory,  and 
anxious  to  again  measure  strength  with  the  Tepanec 
hosts,  the  warriors  of  the  coalited  army  marched  away 
from  their  bivouac  with  a  zeal  which  augured  well 
for  them  and  the  confusion  of  their  adversaries, 
should  they  meet  again  in  deadly  conflict. 

The  camp  of  the  enemy  was  known  to  have  been 
pitched  on  a  plain  situated  on  the  further  side  of  a 
piece  of  woodland  which  lay  just  north  of  the  field  of 
the  recent  battle.  Ixtlilchoatl  moved  his  forces  cau- 
tiously through  this  piece  of  woods,  expecting  to  find 
Maxtla  encamped  beyond,  in  blissful  ignorance  of  their 
approach.  Great  was  the  surprise,  then,  of  the  eager 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  307 

and  expectant  allies,  when  the}'  came  out  onto  the 
plain,  to  find  the  enemy  gone — the  bird  had  flown, 
though,  evidently,  only  a  short  time  before.  A  rapid 
pursuit  was  immediately  ordered,  and  ere  long  the 
retreating  foe  was  overtaken  and  another  great  battle 
fought. 

The  advantages,  in  point  of  numbers  and  excellence 
of  organization,  together  with  the  prestige  of  former 
successes,  which  were  on  the  side  of  the  Tepanec  army 
when  it  entered  the  field  against  the  allies,  had  been 
swept  away  by  a  disastrous  defeat,  and  its  warriors, 
further  disheartened  and  demoralized  by  a  humiliating 
retreat,  which  left  them  wholly  unfitted  to  cope  with 
an  equally  numerous  army,  whose  members  were  en- 
ergized by  a  consciousness  of  right,  the  invigoration 
of  victory,  and  a  determination  to  overthrow  the  power 
which  had  long  been  a  menace  to  tribal  independ- 
ence. 

The  second  battle  was  fought  by  the  Tepanec  lead- 
ers more  on  the  line  of  self-preservation  and  the  hope 
of  getting  off  with  a  whole  skin  than  with  the  expec- 
tation of  doing  their  opponents  material  damage.  A 
desperate  conflict  ensued,  however,  in  which  every 
inch  of  ground  was  stubbornly  contested  by  them,  but 
which,  as  might  have  been  expected,  ended  in  that 
wicked  and  tyrannical  son  of  a  barbarian  despot — 
Maxtla — being  again  discomfited  and  forced  to  yield 
to  his  hated  foe.  A  disastrous  retreat  followed,  and, 
had  not  darkness  come  on  to  check  the  avenging 
hosts  of  Tezcucans,  who  pursued  with  deadly  havoc 
the  vanquished  horde,  the  routed  army  would  have 
been  effectually  disintegrated,  if  not  wholly  annihi- 
lated. 


308  A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

The  prisoners,  with  whom  Euetzin  was  supposed 
to  be,  were  not  found,  and  therefore  not  liberated. 
Thus  was  defeated  one  of  the  chief  motives  which  had 
led  to  the  sudden  advance  of  the  allies. 

Victory  was  won,  and  with  it  a  crown,  but  at  what 
a  cost  to  Prince  Hualcoyotl's  mind,  in  the  contem- 
plation of  the  awful  fate  which  he  now  felt  awraited 
his  best-beloved  friend.  Great  as  was  the  success 
achieved,  he  had  no  heart,  in  that  supreme  hour,  for 
exultation.  He  bowed  his  head  in  sorrow  for  his 
lost  friend,  and,  leaving  the  management  of  affairs  to 
Ixtlilchoatl  and  his  subordinates,  retired  to  a  spot 
where  he  could  be  alone,  that  he  might  wrestle  with 
his  deep  mental  distress. 

Maxtla,  realizing  that  his  army  was  crushed  beyond 
hope  of  immediate  reconstruction,  continued  his  flight 
by  night,  to  get  as  far  from  the  victorious  allies  as  possi- 
ble before  the  light  of  day  should  reveal  to  the  country 
the  crippled  and  demoralized  condition  of  his  army. 
No  stop  was  made  until  he  had  passed  around  and  be- 
yond the  city  of  Tezcuco  into  his  own  territory,  where 
a  bivouac  was  established,  and  his  warriors  given  a 
rest.  So  far  as  it  could  be  done,  order  in  his  shattered 
ranks  was  restored,  and  the  march  to  his  capital  re- 
sumed and  ended. 

No  acclamations  or  demonstrations  of  approval 
greeted  the  return  of  the  imperial  army  to  Azcapozalco. 
With  solemn,  funereal  tread  it  entered  the  royal  city, 
which  soon  became  filled  with  a  wail  of  woe  ascending 
from  the  bereaved  and  stricken  inhabitants,  who 
mourned  for  the  missing  and  slain.  How  different 
was  its  departure ! 

Maxtla  did  not  despair  under  the  greatly  adverse 


A   PRINCE    OP   ANAHUAC.  309 

conditions  in  which  he  found  himself  after  his  short 
and  disastrous  campaign,  but  immediately  set  about  re- 
organizing his  army,  with  a  view  to  recovering  his  im- 
perial standing.  His-domain  embraced  a  thickly  popu- 
lated territory,  and  was  not  lacking  in  material  from 
which  to  reconstruct  his  depleted  forces.  The  outcome 
of  it  was  that,  in  a  very  short  time,  he  was  better  pre- 
pared for  war  than  when  he  went  forth  to  meet  the 
allies. 

The  prisoners  taken  in  the  battles  by  his  warriors 
were  brought  safely  through,  and,  as  was  the  custom, 
placed  in  confinement  to  await  their  doom  of  sacrifice 
upon  the  altars  of  the  Tepanec  deities. 

Ixtlilchoatl,  greatly  elated  over  the  successes  which 
had  so  suddenly  been  achieved  by  the  armies  under 
him,  and,  having  conceived  the  idea  of  giving  Hual- 
coyotl  a  magnificent  reception  back  to  his  own,  began 
at  once  to  get  things  in  shape  for  a  grand  entry  into 
Tezcuco.  Then  followed  the  memorable  march  to  the 
city,  which,  we  are  told,  was  one  continued  ovation  to 
the  returning  prince.  "He  entered  his  capital,"  says 
the  chronicler,  "  not  like  a  proscribed  outcast,  but  as 
the  rightful  heir  to  a  throne,  receiving,  at  the  same 
time,  the  homage  of  his  joyful  subjects."  His  triumph 
was  complete,  but,  with  it  all,  there  was  an  aching 
void  in  his  heart :  his  enemy  had  escaped,  and  carried 
with  him,  as  he  supposed,  the  best  of  all  his  friends. 

He  was  back  in  his  palace,  surrounded  by  the  men 
who  had  stood  with  him  in  the  fierce  and  deadly  con- 
flicts through  which  he  was  compelled  to  pass  to  reach 
it.  Ix,  the  warrior  hermit,  whose  intelligence  and  sa- 
gacity had  directed  the  army  to  victory ;  Macua  and 
his  princely  consorts ;  Tezcot,  the  wise  hunter  and 
good  friend  ;  Cacami,  now  a  warrior  whose  undoubted 


3IO  A   PRINCE   OP   ANAHUAC. 

bravery  and  skill  were  conspicuously  shown  in  more 
than  one  furious  encounter,  and  which  were  fully  ap- 
preciated by  the  prince;  and  Menke,  Oza  and  Kan, 
and  many  others  who  have  held  no  particular  place  in 
our  narrative,  yet  worthy  of  it  when  valorous  deeds 
are  considered,  were  there  engaged  in  celebrating,  in 
an  enthusiastic  manner,  the  event  of  their  lives — the 
victorious  close  of  a  remarkable  conflict. 

Now,  indeed,  was  Tezcuco  free  from  Tepanec  en- 
thrallment,  her  people  restored  to  their  ancient  privi- 
leges, and  her  prince  brought  back  from  an  outlawed 
condition  to  the  enjoyment  of  his  inherited  rights. 

The  power  of  the  military  immediately  supervened, 
but  its  rule  was  not  oppressive,  for  Ix,  the  hermit,  was 
not  a  tyrant. 

The  greatest  activity  in  all  things  suddenly  became 
apparent.  The  king's  palace  quickly  became  a  scene 
of  rustling  animation.  While  artisans  were  laboring 
to  restore  it  to  its  ancient  splendor,  the  prince  and  his 
attendants  were  busily  engaged  in  bringing  order  out 
of  chaos.  Ah,  how  he  missed  his  two  best  friends, 
Euetzin  and  Itzalmo,  in  that  hour  of  incipient  well- 
being  and  future  greatness ! 

The  teocallis  were  receiving  needed  attention,  after 
years  of  neglect  and  waste,  in  anticipation  of  the  com- 
ing rites,  which  were  to  be  celebrated  in  honor  of  the 
prince's  coronation. 

The  spirit  of  self-interest  and  industry,  which  had 
lain  dormant  in  the  hearts  of  the  enslaved  Tezcucans 
since  the  subversion  of  their  government,  was  revived 
with  their  restoration  to  liberty,  and  activity  prevailed 
where  only  a  few  days  before  was  lethargy  and  in- 
action. Wonderful  transformation  !  The  people  were 
free ! 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  3! I 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

WE  will  turn  once  more  to  Zelmonco  villa,  on 
which  sorrow  has  again    fallen  through   the 
afflicting  hand  of  war. 

It  is  a  beautiful  evening,  an  hour  after  the  night- 
shades have  swept  away  the  last  gleam  of  day.  The 
moon's  golden-hued  disc  is  beaming  refulgently  down 
upon  the  glowing  face  of  Anahuac.  The  unruffled 
foliage  of  shrub  and  tree  is  overcast  with  a  silvern 
tinge,  the  reflection  of  I/una's  mellow  light  on  Nature's 
inimitable  green,  while,  like  groups  of  twinkling  stars 
from  afar,  are  seen  in  the  distance  the  sacred  fires 
which  light  up  every  temple's  summit,  and  which  are 
never  permitted  to  go  out.  At  such  an  hour,  in  which 
inanimate  Nature,  superbly  robed  and  serenely  smiling, 
wholly  unresponsive  to  the  sorrow  which  saddens  her 
animate  sister,  as  represented  in  the  grief-stricken  in- 
mates of  the  villa  home,  we  are  privileged,  as  visitors,  to 
stroll  in  the  direction  of  the  old  oak  tree,  under  which, 
in  the  past,  the  now  mourning  Itlza  has  found  her 
chief  pleasure  in  idle  moments.  As  we  approach  the 
spot  the  first  object  to  attract  our  attention  is  the 
flowerlike  appearance  of  the  beautiful  fountain.  We 
pause  for  a  moment  to  view  with  delight  the  graceful 
turn  and  fall  of  its  translucent  waters,  which  resemble 
in  the  moon's  soft  rays  a  great  white  lily.  In  the  ex- 


312  A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC 

citement  of  our  admiration  we  are  led  to  repeat,  men- 
tally: 

"  Into  the  moonlight,  whiter  than  snow, 

Beautiful,  flower-like,  ceaseless  thy  flow. 

Glorious  fountain  ! " 

What  sound  is  that  which  breaks  in  upon  our  re- 
flection, scarcely  louder  than  a  murmur,  rising  in  gen- 
tle undulations  above  the  ripple  of  the  fountain's  flow 
as  it  falls  into  the  effervescing  pool  below  ? 

"My  heart  is  sad — very,  very  sad,  and  were  it  not  for 
your  safe  return,  O  Cacami,  desolation  would,  indeed, 
overwhelm  me." 

It  was  Itlza's  voice,  low  and  sorrowful,  addressing 
her  lover,  who  had  improved  the  first  favorable  mo- 
ment, after  the  army  became  settled  in  Tezcuco,  to 
visit  the  villa,  where  he  found  Teochma  prostrated 
with  grief,  and  Itlza  very  sad,  though  supported  by 
the  expectation  of  an  early  visit  from  him. 

"Despair  not,  O  Laughing-eyes;  Euetzin  may  yet 
find  favor  with  the  gods.  He  is  not  dead,  or  his  body 
would  have  been  found  upon  the  battle  field." 

"It  were  better,  Cacami,  if  he  were  dead;  for,  oh, 
what  a  fate  awaits  him,  if  he  is  a  prisoner! "  she  re- 
plied, sorrowfully. 

"  Let  us  not  think  of  that,  but  rather  hope  against 
such  a  fate,  and  for  a  little  while  rejoice  that  we  are 
once  more  brought  together." 

"  I  do  rejoice,  Cacami,  in  your  preservation,  and  that 
I  have  you  with  me  again  ;  but  how  can  I  forget,  for 
one  moment,  my  poor,  unfortunate  brother?" 

"  Do  not  forget  him,  Laughing-eyes,  but  be  cheered 
by  the  hope  that  he  is  not  lost." 

"  I  will  try,  and  you  will  help  me  by  recounting  of 
yourself.  How  do  you  rank  in  this  hour  of  our  peo- 


A   PRINCE   OP   ANAHUAC.  313 

pie's  triumph?  "  she  questioned,  with  a  supreme  effort 
at  rallying  from  her  dejection. 

"  I  have  no  particular  rank  as  yet,  Laughing-eyes, 
more  than  that  of  one  of  the  prince's  chief  attendants. 
I  stood  with  him  through  both  battles,  and  we  have 
come  to  be  very  good  friends." 

"  I  see  that  you  have  been  decorated,  but  do  not 
know  the  significance  of  the  badges  you  wear.  Tell 
me  about  them,  Cacami." 

"  This  decoration,"  he  said,  directing  her  attention  to 
a  beautifully  constructed  and  highly  ornamental  badge, 
"  was  awarded  me  by  Hualcoyotl  for  doing  my  duty — 
he  called  it  valorous  conduct  in  battle.  I  prize  it  above 
all  else,  for  it  tells  me  I  am  no  longer  unworthy  of 
your  love."  Looking  up  at  her  fondly. 

"Who  but  yourself  ever  thought  you  unworthy?" 
she  quickly  answered. 

"  It  was  enough  that  I  should  think  so,  Laughing- 
eyes,  without  consulting  the  thoughts  of  others." 

"  Well,  I'm  glad  you  have  changed  your  mind,  at 
any  rate,"  she  rejoined,  in  quite  a  happy  vein.  "  But 
this  other  one,  Cacami,  what  deed  of  bravery  brought 
you  that?"  she  continued,  lifting  from  his  breast  a 
superbly  finished  medal. 

"  No  deed  of  bravery  brought  me  that,  Itlza.  It  was 
won  by  skill;  and  is  the  price  of  a  man's  life." 

"O,  why  did  you  tell  me  that?"  interrupted  she, 
dropping  the  blood  bought  bauble. 

"Wait,  Laughing-eyes,  until  you  have  heard  the 
story ;  then  you  will  not  think  so  badly  of  it,"  he  re- 
plied, in  answer  to  her  repellantly  ejaculated  question. 
"  It  was  given  me  by  Macua,  king  of  Tlacopan,  at  the 
great  tourney  in  token  of  his  appreciation  of  my  skill 
in  throwing  the  javelin.  I  was  not  a  contestant,  but, 


314  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

notwithstanding,  had  occasion  to  use  my  weapon.  It 
happened  in  this  wise:  In  a  bout  between  lancers  a 
Tepanec  warrior  was  bent  on  murdering  his  opponent 
after  he  had  struck  him  down.  When  I  saw  his  pur- 
pose I  sprang  to  the  defense  of  the  fallen  man,  killing 
the  would-be  assassin  with  my  javelin  before  he  ac- 
complished the  foul  deed.  And  know,  O  Laughing- 
eyes,  the  defeated  lancer  was  a  Tezcucan.  Can  you 
blame  me  for  doing  what  the  people  applauded,  and 
Macua  rewarded?  " 

"  No,  Cacami,  I  can  not  blame  you.  I  should  have 
judged  you  better.  The  badge  becomes  you ;  wear  it 
where  Macua  placed  it,  but  only  as  his  gift,  forgetting 
it  was  won  at  such  a  cost." 

"  I  felt  sure  you  would  not  blame  me  for  defending 
a  fallen  countryman,  even  at  the  cost  of  a  foeman's 
life.  He  was  a  foeman,  Laughing-eyes,  a  foeman  of 
Tezcuco's,  or  why  his  bitter  hatred  for  the  warrior 
whom  he  had  fairly  defeated?  " 

"  Yes,  it  must  have  been  hatred  that  lead  him  on  to 
his  death ;  but,  Cacami,  such  scenes  are  best  forgotten ; 
let  us  talk  of  something  else." 

"  Shall  we  talk  of  love,  then,  Laughing-eyes?  " 

"  Better  that  than  of  scenes  of  blood.  Yes,  let  us 
talk  of  love.  What  of  the  troth,  O  Cacami,  which  was 
left  unpledged  until  you,  with  your  sword,  should  win 
honor  and  fame?  Are  you  not  a  decorated  warrior 
now?  " 

"  Yes,  Laughing-eyes,  I  am ;  but  is  it  well  to  talk  of 
pledges  now?  Had  we  not  better  wait?  I  am  not 
less  desirous  than  yourself  to  seal  our  love  with  the 
sacred  kiss  of  troth ;  but,  Itlza,  your  brother,  the  best 
friend  I  ever  had,  may  yet  be  saved ;  and,  should  he 
be,  I  want  him  to  know,  and  Teochma,  your  mother, 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  315 

too,  before  our  pledge  is  sealed.  Our  love  will  keep,  as 
it  has  in  the  past.  Who  knows,  but  ourselves,  that  we 
are  lovers  ?  And,  since  this  is  so,  who  may  come  be- 
tween us?" 

Ah,  Cacami !  if  you  had  only  known  what  lay  be- 
yond, we  think  you  would  hardly  have  plead  for  delay, 
though  in  doing  so  you  showed  an  honorable  dispo- 
sition. 

"Who,  indeed,  may  come  between  us?"  returned 
Itlza,  in  a  spirit  of  concession.  "  It  were  honorable  in 
you,  Cacami,  to  be  considerate  of  my  mother  and  broth- 
er's pleasure  in  the  matter  of  our  troth.  I  should  not 
be  the  one  to  urge  it  against  your  reason,  nor  will  I. 
No ;  as  you  say,  our  love  will  keep." 


While  Cacami  and  Itlza,  secure  in  their  own  minds 
as  to  a  final  and  happy  consummation  of  their  dreams, 
were  felicitous — though  sad — in  each  other's  society, 
Hualcoyotl  sat  alone  in  his  palace  apartments  laying 
plans,  which,  if  successfully  carried  out,  would  bring 
about  their  separation,  and  the  frustration  of  their  cher- 
ished hopes.  And  yet,  he  was  ignorant  of  the  fact 
that  two  lives  were  to  be  made  unspeakably  wretched 
by  the  course  he  was  planning  to  pursue.  He  loved 
Itlza,  but  never  stopped  to  think  that  she  might  love 
another;  and,  possibly,  did  not  consider  such  a  con- 
tingency of  sufficient  importance  to  require  a  serious 
thought ;  for  was  he  not  soon  to  be  made  a  king,  whose 
will  would  be  law,  even  in  the  choice  of  a  wife  ?  His 
affection  for  his  lost  friend,  and  the  sympathy  he  felt 
for  the  bereaved  mother  and  sister  awakened  in  his  al- 
ready predisposed  mind  thoughts  of  an  immediate 
union  with  the  latter,  and  he  planned  accordingly. 


316  A   PRINCE   OP   ANAHUAC. 

It  was  the  custom  of  the  ruling  princes  of  the  Ana- 
huac,  when  a  queen  was  to  be  chosen,  to  have  the  in- 
tended royal  consort  brought  to  the  palace  of  the  pros- 
pective royal  groom,  to  receive  such  instructions  as 
would  fit  her  for  the  high  position  she  would  be  called 
to  fill.  With  this  end  in  view,  the  prince  decided  that 
Itlza,  with  her  mother  as  a  chaperon,  should  be  trans- 
ferred to  his  palace  at  once.  He  was  not  yet  a  king, 
and  had  no  authority  to  issue  a  command.  What  he 
did  at  this  time  was  necessarily  done  by  courtesy. 
When  the  power  to  command  should  be  placed  in  his 
hands  he  would  be  less  persuasive ;  before,  however, 
his  ends  would  have  to  be  reached  by  the  milder  meth- 
ods. The  mother  was  accordingly  apprised  of  his 
wishes,  and  asked  to  give  them  her  immediate  and  fa- 
vorable consideration. 

Teochma  was  not  aware,  as  the  reader  knows,  that 
matters  had  gone  so  far  \vith  Itlza  and  Cacami  as  to 
reach  an  avowal  of  their  attachment  for  each  other ;  al- 
though she  felt  they  were  more  devoted  than  they 
should  be,  since  in  her  mother-heart  had  been  fostered 
a  hope  that  Itlza  might  yet  fill  the  exalted  position  of 
Queen  of  Tezcuco.  Attributing  the  prince's  proposal 
to  the  right  motive,  she  saw  in  it  the  possible  consum- 
mation of  her  aspirations,  and  would  not  have  been  hu- 
man had  she  not  experienced  a  certain  degree  of  elation 
at  the  prospect.  She  acceded  to  the  proposition,  and 
looked  forward  to  her  temporary  establishment  in  the 
palace  as  but  the  entrance  to  her  future  exalted  posi- 
tion of  mother  to  the  queen. 

The  ready  acquiescence  of  Teochma  to  his  wishes 
was  very  gratifying  to  the  prince,  and  preparations  for 
receiving  his  intended  at  the  palace  immediately  fol- 
lowed. 


A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  317 


CHAPTER   XXXIV. 

AFTER  reaching  the  woods,  and  fixing  himself  as 
comfortably  as  he  could,  the  tzin  tried  to  get 
some  sleep,  but  could  not  succeed  in  wooing  to  him- 
self the  coveted  forgetfulness.  The  signs  in  his  condi- 
tion were  not  at  all  favorable ;  he  was  feverish,  and 
his  wound  quite  painful.  Hualla  showed  much  con- 
cern, and,  when  it  grew  light  enough  to  see,  insisted 
on  being  permitted  to  redress  his  wound.  The  tzin 
was  not  disposed  to  allow  him  to  undertake  it,  fearing 
he  would  do  him  more  harm  than  good,  but,  growing 
rapidly  more  distressed  and  restless,  finally  yielded, 
and  the  lad  proceeded  with  the  dressing.  Euetzin  was 
agreeably  surprised  at  the  handy  manner  in  which  it 
was  done.  The  relief  to  him,  which  followed,  was  so 
marked,  and  the  result  so  soothing,  that  he  quickly 
dropped  off  to  sleep.  When  Hualla  saw  that  he  slept, 
he  laid  himself  on  the  ground  near  by,  and  was  soon 
sleeping  soundly,  from  a  head  to  foot  weariness. 

The  sun  was  well  up  toward  the  zenith  when  the 
lad  awoke.  He  arose  and  approached  the  sleeping 
tzin,  who  appeared  to  be  suffering  even  while  slumber- 
ing. His  breathing  was  heavy,  and  accompanied  by 
a  sound  very  much  like  a  moan.  After  looking  at  him 
searchingly  for  a  moment,  the  youth  turned  away 
with  an  anxious  expression  on  his  face,  and  went  to 
the  border  of  the  woods  to  ascertain  if  the  Tepanec 


3l8  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

army  was  still  on  the  plain.  Discovering  that  it  was 
not,  he  returned  to  find  Euetzin  just  waking.  On  at- 
tempting to  rise  to  a  sitting  posture,  the  tzin  found 
that  he  could  not,  and  fell  back  with  a  groan.  See- 
ing his  failure  to  get  up,  and  the  evident  suffering  the 
effort  caused  him,  Hualla  went  quickly  to  his  side  and 
said: 

"  Let  me  help  you,  tzin." 

"  No,  Hualla,  it  is  not  for  want  of  strength,  but  in 
consequence  of  pain,  that  I  can  not  rise.  I  fear  your 
assistance  will  no  longer  avail,  since  I  am  so  sore  and 
stiff." 

"  I  am  willing  to  do  anything  to  serve  you,  tzin 
Euet.  Can't  you  advise  me?"  questioned  the  lad, 
anxiously. 

The  voice  in  which  these  words  were  spoken  was 
so  like  something  he  had  heard  before,  that  Euetzin 
looked  sharply  at  the  speaker.  He  could  discover 
nothing,  however,  in  his  appearance,  which  would 
justify  the  thought  inspired  by  the  seemingly  familiar 
sound,  and  allowed  it  to  pass  as  a  possible  similarity, 
or,  perhaps,  only  a  freak  of  the  imagination. 

"  Will  you  learn  if  Maxtla's  army  is  still  on  the 
plain,  Hualla?  "  he  said. 

"  It  has  gone,  tzin  Euet.  I  have  only  just  come 
from  looking." 

"  Then,  Hualla,  you  must  go,  at  once,  to  Hualco- 
yotl  for  help.  I  will  remain  where  I  am  until  you 
return.  Please  to  hasten." 

The  lad  started  immediately  on  his  fruitless  errand, 
from  which  he  returned  soon  after  noon,  with  the  dis- 
couraging intelligence  that  the  allies  had  also  gone. 
Euetzin  groaned  under  the  weight  of  a  helpless  dis- 
couragement at  the  announcement. 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  319 

"  What  am  I  to  do,  my  lad,  now  that  I  am  help- 
less? "  he  said,  showing  much  mental  distress. 

Hualla  tried  to  comfort  him,  and  proposed  to  go  still 
farther  in  search  of  help.  It  was  the  only  course  left 
them,  under  the  circumstances.  After  eating  some  of 
the  food  which  he  had  procured  at  the  deserted  camp, 
the  lad  started  off  in  the  direction  of  the  lake,  hoping 
to  find  someone  there,  a  fisherman  or  boatman,  who 
might  be  induced  to  come  to  their  assistance.  He 
was  most  fortunate,  and  correspondingly  elated,  in 
finding  a  party  of  boatmen  who  had  just  landed  at 
the  beach,  with  whom  he  succeeded  in  making  ar- 
rangements for  the  tzin's  conveyance  to  a  small  town, 
which  was  situated  on  the  lake,  a  league  or  so  away. 

Having  succeeded  so  well,  Hualla  was  now  greatly 
encouraged  at  the  prospect  of  soon  getting  his  charge 
to  a  place  where  he  could  have  the  immediate  attention 
of  a  doctor.  One  thought,  however,  gave  him  consid- 
erable anxiety ;  it  was  of  the  suffering  the  wounded 
tzin  would  be  compelled  to  undergo  while  being  trans- 
ferred to  the  beach.  The  distance  was  more  than  a 
mile,  and  the  trip,  he  feared,  would  prove  very  dis- 
tressing to  him,  should  it  be  necessary  for  the  men  to 
carry  him  on  their  arms.  This  difficulty  was  quickly 
overcome  by  the  boatmen,  whose  native  cleverness 
soon  put  them  in  possession  of  a  roughly  constructed 
litter,  on  which  he  was  borne  to  the  beach  with  but 
little  trouble,  and  only  a  slight  addition  of  discomfort. 

When  Euetzin  learned  that  Hualla  had  found  as- 
sistance to  relieve  him  from  his  discouraging  situation, 
he  could  hardly  find  words  strong  enough  to  express 
his  gratitude.  His  appreciation  of  the  lad's  services 
was  hourly  growing  more  and  more  heartfelt,  and  he 


32O  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

could  not  but  marvel  at  the  exhibition  of  interest 
manifested  by  him  for  his  comfort  and  safety.  It  was, 
apparently,  a  phenomenal  manifestation  of  disinter- 
ested kindness. 

The  tzin  bore  his  distress  bravely,  and  helped,  by  an 
occasional  cheerful  expression,  to  relieve  the  transit 
of  some  of  its  wearisomeness. 

When  the  beach  was  reached  he  was  carefully  borne 
to  a  boat,  on  which  he  was  placed,  and  in  due  time 
safely  landed  at  the  little  Tezcucan  town,  where  suita- 
ble quarters  were  secured  for  him,  and  the  attention 
of  a  physician  obtained,  who  soon  had  him  feeling 
quite  comfortable. 

So  soon  as  it  became  known  that  a  wounded  Tez- 
cucan cacique  had  escaped  from  Maxtla's  army,  and 
found  his  way  to  the  little  town,  everybody  became  in- 
terested, and  nothing  was  too  good  with  which  to  pro- 
vide him. 

Hualla  received  his  due  in  praises  for  his  brave  con- 
duct, as  represented  by  Euetzin.  He,  however,  did  not 
seem  to  relish  it,  receiving  it  with  a  good  deal  of  em- 
barrassment. 

Proof  of  the  lad's  cleverness  in  the  matter  of  wound 
dressing  had  been  furnished  the  tzin  in  two  instances, 
and,  by  his  request,  he  was  installed  as  his  nurse.  The 
youth  was  provided  with  an  apartment  of  his  own, 
from  which  he  was  seldom  seen  except  when  at  the 
bedside  of  the  tzin. 

In  less  than  a  day  after  his  arrival  at  the  town, 
Euetzin  became  quite  ill.  The  exhaustive  efforts 
which  he  had  made  to  get  away  from  the  camp  of  the 
enemy,  and  the  unavoidable  aggravation  and  neglect 
of  his  wound,  were  followed  by  very  serious  conse- 


A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  321 

quences.  A  fever  set  in,  and,  owing  to  the  dangerous 
character  of  his  injury,  a  complication  was  brought  on 
which,  but  for  the  careful  administrations  of  his  two 
faithful  nurses  and  a  vigorous  constitution  to  aid  them, 
might  have  terminated  fatally. 

Who  was  the  second  nurse?  we  imagine  the  reader 
will  wonder.  We  answer,  none  other  than  the  good 
old  Itzalmo. 

The  old  preceptor,  soon  after  his  flight  from  Azca- 
pozalco,  came  to  this  town  for  better  security ;  and, 
being  too  old  to  take  part  in  the  struggle  for  liberty, 
had  remained  there  in  concealment,  wraiting  the  result. 
Having  no  intercourse  with  the  people  of  the  town,  he 
did  not  learn  of  the  wounded  cacique's  arrival  until  the 
following  day.  He  had,  however,  in  the  meantime 
learned  of  the  great  victory  which  had  been  won  by  the 
allies,  and  the  retreat  of  Maxtla's  army.  This  em- 
boldened him,  and  he  left  his  seclusion  to  rejoice  with 
his  brethren  over  the  good  news.  By  doing  so  he 
quickly  learned  of  the  presence  of  the  wounded  chief, 
and  at  once  decided  to  make  him  a  visit,  thinking  he 
might,  in  some  way,  be  of  service  to  him.  The  old 
man  was  not  informed  as  to  the  tzin's  identity,  and 
made  his  visit  from  purely  humane  and  patriotic 
motives.  On  presenting  himself  at  his  appartments 
he  was  greatly  surprised  at  discovering  in  the  supposed 
stranger  his  young  friend  and  pupil,  tzin  Euet ;  and  as 
a  serious  turn  in  the  tzin's  condition  was  just  then 
evident,  he  became  deeply  concerned  about  him,  and 
immediately  gave  his  whole  attention  to  the  case,, 
proving  himself  to  be  a  most  devoted  and  skillful 
attendant.  When  he  fully  realized  the  dangerous  con- 
dition of  his  young  friend  he  insisted  upon  notifying 


322  A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC. 

the  prince  regarding  him,  to  which,  for  some  reason, 
the  tzin  objected. 

"Wait  a  few  days,"  said  he,  "when  I  will  be  well 
enough  to  go  to  Tezcuco  by  boat."  Thus  were  his 
friends  kept  in  ignorance  of  his  escape  and  where- 
abouts. The  few  days  were  more  than  doubled  before 
his  consent  could  be  obtained,  because  of  the  un- 
conscious condition  into  which  he  suddenly  passed, 
and  in  which  he  remained  for  several  days.  A  mes- 
senger was  finally  dispatched  with  particulars  of  his 
situation,  the  communication  being  signed  by  Itzalmo, 
with  the  simple  statement  that  the  writer  was  with 
him. 

Hualla  was  always  at  the  .bedside  of  the  tzin  when 
Itzalmo  was  not,  and  appeared  anxious  and  watchful 
for  encouraging  signs  in  the  patient's  condition.  When 
a  change  for  the  better  was  at  last  discovered,  he  was 
wonderfully  elated  for  a  youngster  like  him,  and 
especially  one  who  had  so  lately  entered  into  the  en- 
dangered life. 

One  day,  while  the  tzin  slept,  the  youthful  nurse 
leaned  over  the  bed  to  listen  to  his  breathing ;  possibly 
to  learn  if  any  change  had  taken  place  in  the  condition 
of  it.  Suddenly,  as  if  from  an  irresistible  impulse,  he 
pressed  a  kiss  upon  the  sick  man's  brow.  As  he  did 
so  the  word  "  Mitla  "  might  have  been  distinctly  heard 
coming  from  the  sleeper's  lips.  Hualla  drew  back 
quickly,  and  could  his  face  have  been  seen  in  that  mo- 
ment, the  observer  would  have  been  astonished  at  the 
singularly  happy  expression  upon  it.  The  word  uttered 
carried  with  it  a  revelation. 

As  the  days  went  by,  Hualla  became  more  devoted 
to  the  afflicted  tzin,  and  actions  expressive  of  ardent 
attachment  were  of  frequent  occurrence  on  his  part. 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  323 

The  patient  was  rapidly  recovering ;  the  nurses,  how- 
ever, had  not  relinquished  their  posts  of  duty,  but  con- 
tinued careful  of  his  every  want.  It  was  in  Hualla's 
watch  that  we  find  him  quietly  dozing,  or  apparently 
so,  while  the  young  nurse  sat  in  his  accustomed  place 
near  the  bed.  Presently  the  latter  rose  from  his  seat 
and  approached  the  bedside,  and,  as  he  frequently  did, 
leaned  over  the  sleeper  and  gazed  intently  into  his  face. 
As  he  was  thus  occupied  Euetzin  suddenly  opened  his 
eyes  to  encounter  an  earnest,  loving  expression,  which 
the  watcher  was  unconsciously  revealing.  Only  a  pair 
of  undisguised  eyes  were  seen  by  the  tzin,  in  which  he 
beheld,  not  Hualla,  but  one  with  whom  he  had  at  last 
come  to  realize  he  was  in  love,  and,  quick  as  the  thought 
which  impelled  him.  he  caught  the  watcher's  form,  and 
drew  it  to  him,  while  he  exclaimed : 

"  Mitla,  my  own  true  love !  How  is  it  that  you  are 
here?  "  and,  when  he  had  said  this,  imprinted  a  fervent 
kiss  upon  Hualla's  lips. 

"  The  assurance  that  you  love  me  brings  a  great  joy 
to  my  heart.  I  am  repaid  for  all  that  I  have  endured 
for  love's  sake.  But,  Euetzin,  you  must  not  forget 
that  you  are  ill.  Excitement  might  do  you  harm,"  re- 
turned the  young  nurse  in  surprising  language. 

"  Such  excitement  will  make  me  well,"  replied  the 
tzin.  "  But,  Mitla,  you  have  not  told  me  how  you 
came  to  be  here,"  still  holding  the  form  in  his  close 
embrace. 

"Have  you  forgotten  Hualla?" 

"No,  no!  I  have  not  forgotten  Hualla,  nor  will  I 
ever ;  but,  my  dear  girl,  what  has  he  to  do  with  your 
presence  here  ?  " 

"  Hualla  has  everything  to  do  with  my  presence  here; 


324  A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC. 

for  Hualla  and  Mitla  are  one  and  the  same,  Euetzin," 
was  the  answer  which  fell  with  surprising  effect  upon 
the  tzin's  ears.  In  astonishment  he  let  go  his  hold  of 
the  yielding  form,  and  held  it  off  at  arms'  length. 
There  was  no  mistake ;  what  he  had  just  heard  was,  in- 
deed, true ;  for  it  was  certainly  Hualla  who  stood,  smil- 
ing and  happy,  before  him.  He  looked  at  the  meta- 
morphosed Mitla  for  a  moment,  and  then,  as  if  suddenly 
realizing  the  wonderful  depth  of  devotion  she  had  shown 
for  him,  he  said  in  a  voice  exhibiting  profound  emotion  : 

"  Never  love  more  ardent  and  powerful  moved  the 
heart  of  woman  than  that  which  has  inspired  you  to  do 
what  you  have  done !  The  devotion  of  Hualla,  and 
the  familiar  tone  of  his  voice,  which  has  often  startled 
me,  are  now  explained.  From  the  horrors  of  an  awful 
death  the  hand  of  Hualla — your  hand,  O  best  beloved 
of  my  heart — hath  rescued  me.  What  do  I  not  owe 
you?  "  He  paused,  and,  drawing  Mitla  to  him,  kissed 
her  fondly. 

"  L,et  this  be  my  pledge  of  troth,"  he  said  impress- 
ively ;  "  my  pledge  that  she  who  has  risked  and  done 
so  much  for  me  shall  be  my  wife." 

Mitla's  devotion  to  the  man  she  loved  so  wildly,  and 
the  brave  heart  which  had  struggled  through  so  great 
dangers  and  fatigue  for  his  sake,  were  rewarded  at  last, 
and  she  made  unspeakably  happy.  Her  joy  was  so 
great  that  she  could  have  rested  indefinitely  in  his  em- 
brace, but  Itzalmo  must  not  know  that  Hualla  was 
other  than  he  seemed.  She  disengaged  herself  from 
Euetzin's  arms,  and  when  the  old  man  came  he  found 
his  fellow  attendant  in  his  accustomed  place,  and  the 
patient  looking  unusually  bright  and  cheerful. 


A  PRINCE  OP  ANAHUAC.  325 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

THE  object  of  the  coalition  against  Maxtla  having 
been  achieved,  and  Tezcuco  once  more  in  posi- 
tion to  defend  herself,  the  league  was  dissolved.  The 
foreign  armies  quietly  withdrew  from  the  city,  and 
returned  to  their  respective  capitals — the  hunter-guard 
having  early  gone  back  to  their  mountain  homes. 

The  parting  between  the  old  warrior  chieftain,  Ix, 
and  his  friend  Tezcot,  was  expressive  of  a  deep  and 
lasting  regard.  The  latter  promised,  at  leaving — to 
please  his  hermit  friend — that,  providing  his  affairs  at 
home  would  admit  of  it,  he  would  return  to  witness 
the  prince's  coronation,  which  event  was  then  para- 
mount to  everything  else  in  the  minds  of  the  disen- 
thralled and  happy  people,  who  were  bent  on  making 
it  a  memorable  occasion — a  day  on  which  not  only 
the  crowning  of  their  new  king  should  take  place, 
but  a  grand  celebration,  also,  in  honor  of  Tezcuco's 
independence  and  their  liberation  from  an  enforced 
vassalage. 

It  was  customary,  when  an  event  not  down  on  their 
calendar  was  to  be  observed,  to  select  one  of  their 
festal  days  on  which  to  celebrate  it,  of  which  they 
had  a  great  number,  every  deity  having  one  especially 
set  apart  for  its  service.  One  of  the  most  prominent 
on  their  calendar  was,  accordingly,  chosen  for  the 
occasion — prominent  because  of  the  latitude  which 


326  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

would  be  afforded  the  priesthood,  in  it,  to  exercise 
its  peculiar  functions,  not  omitting  the  revolting  cere- 
mony of  human  sacrifice,  in  which  its  members  seemed 
to  delight.  Not  since  the  subversion  of  their  govern- 
ment had  a  festival  so  impressive  in  character  been 
celebrated  in  Tezcuco,  and  the  priests,  awake  to  the 
importance  of  an  occasion  which  would  restore  to 
them  privileges  so  long  withheld,  were  active  in  its 
promotion,  and  a  great  number  of  victims — chiefly 
prisoners  of  war — were  selected  for  sacrifice. 

Hualcoyotl  was  greatly  averse  to  the  shocking  scenes 
of  blood  and  agony,  which  always  attended  the  sacri- 
ficial ceremony,  but  had  no  power — not  even  as  a 
king — to  stop  it,  for  the  authority  of  the  priesthood  in 
such  matters  was  supreme. 

We  have  it  from  fairly  reliable  sources — mostly  tra- 
ditional, to  be  sure,  yet  worthy  of  credence — that  he 
made  it  an  especial  effort  of  his  long  and  prosperous 
reign  to  have  the  inhuman  practice  abolished,  and 
bring  his  people  to  worship  according  to  the  belief 
which  he  had  early  conceived  to  be  the  correct  one — 
which,  in  the  light  of  his  surroundings,  was  truly  re- 
markable. He  believed  in  "One  unseen  Cause  of 
Causes" — "One  all-powerful  God  " — a  unity,  to  whom 
appeals  should  be  made  direct.  In  this  particular  he 
showed  a  high  order  of  intelligence,  for  it  is  an  estab- 
lished opinion,  if  not  a  fact,  that  the  simplicity  of  the 
idea  of  one  God,  who  has  no  need  of  inferior  represen- 
tatives to  execute  his  will,  is  too  vast  for  the  concep- 
tion of  narrowed  understandings,  and,  as  a  conse- 
quence, resort  to  a  multiplicity  of  deities  follows. 

The  great  Tezcucan  was  only  partially  successful  in 
his  efforts,  because  of  the  vitiating  influence  of  his 


A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  327 

Aztec  neighbors,  who  exceeded  all  the  other  races  of 
Anahuac  in  barbaric  practices,  between  whom  and  his 
people  there  existed  the  closest  political  relations, 
almost  from  the  day  of  his  coronation  up  to  the  time 
of  the  conquest. 

The  prince's  failure  to  establish  his  belief  in  "  One 
Supreme  Intelligence  "  did  not  abate  in  the  least  his 
personal  convictions  on  the  subject,  but  as  the  years 
went  by  he  became  more  firmly  fixed  in  his  faith, 
which,  if  not  a  Christian  faith,  was  so  near  to  it  that 
the  difference  could  only  be  found  in  the  fact  that  he 
was  a  barbarian,  having  no  knowledge  of  the  Christ  ; 
and,  yet,  who  shall  say,  when  ways  and  means  for  the 
acquiring  of  religious  knowledge  are  considered,  that 
Hualcoyotl's  religion  was  not  as  acceptable  to  "  Him 
by  whom  we  live  "  as  was  that  of  the  shepherd  king? 


Itlza  and  her  mother  were  in  due  time  transferred  to 
the  Tezcucan  palace,  and  no  royal  host  was  ever  more 
considerate  of  the  wants  and  comforts  of  his  guests 
than  was  he  of  their's.  The  mother  was  elated  to  a 
degree  which  almost  made  her  forget  her  affliction.  In 
the  transfer  the  first  step  leading  to  high  honors  for 
her  daughter  was  taken,  a  sufficient  cause  for  the  ex- 
citement of  a  more  enlightened  intelligence  than  her's. 
Itlza,  on  the  other  hand,  between  love  for  Cacami  and 
sorrow  for  her  lost  brother,  took  no  account  of  the 
significance  which  was  to  be  attached  to  the  transfer 
of  her  residence  from  Zelmonco  to  Tezcuco,  and  en- 
tered upon  the  change  with  no  suspicion  of  what  it 
portended. 

The  prince,  in  making  his  proposal  to  Teochma  that 


328  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

she  and  Itlza  should  take  up  their  residence  in  the  pal- 
ace, had  put  it  as  near  in  the  form  of  a  command  as  he 
could  without  making  it  direct.  He  pressed  it  upon 
her  as  an  honor  which  should  not  be  treated  lightly, 
and  being  ambitious  of  her  child's  advancement  she 
readily  complied.  As  an  obedient  daughter,  who  really 
had  no  choice  in  the  matter,  Itlza  acquiesced,  and, 
amid  the  bustle  and  confusion  with  which  the  city  and 
palace  were  filled,  found  the  change  from  quiet  Zel- 
monco  very  agreeable. 

The  prince  took  advantage  of  the  first  opportunity 
offered,  after  the  transfer  was  made,  to  have  a  talk 
with  Teochma  regarding  Itlza,  and  his  intentions  with 
reference  to  her.  She  gave  him  to  understand  that  his 
will  was  her  pleasure,  but  did  not  deem  it  politic  to 
make  any  show  of  the  satisfaction  she  experienced  at 
having  her  divinations  verified.  He  directed  that  the 
matter  should  remain  a  secret  between  them  for  the 
present,  as  he  desired,  before  revealing  to  Itlza  his 
purposes,  to  establish  himself  in  her  favor.  Thus  the 
matter  was  left  to  rest,  the  prince,  the  while,  using 
every  possible  means  at  his  command  to  gain  the 
affections  of  his  intended  queen.  Itlza  treated  him 
most  kindly,  accepting  his  attentions  as  a  matter  of 
course,  which  encouraged  him  to  persevere. 

While  seated  with  Teochma  in  his  family  apart- 
ments one  day,  talking  in  a  confidential  way,  Hual- 
coyotl  was  informed  by  his  personal  attendant  that  a 
strange  messenger  awaited  his  pleasure. 

"  You  will  ascertain  if  his  business  is  of  a  private 
nature,  Oza,  and  report  to  me  at  once,"  he  said,  and 
then  turned  to  resume  his  conversation  with  Teochma. 

Notwithstanding  Oza  was  a  free  man,  the  prince 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  £29 

having  made  good  his  promise  that  he  should  have  his 
freedom,  he  was  still  in  the  latter's  service.  Their  ex- 
perience together  on  the  mountains  had  given  rise  to  a 
warm,  mutual  attachment  between  the  master  and  his 
servant,  which  resulted  in  Oza's  retention  as  a  special 
and  favored  attendant. 

The  faithful  servitor  withdrew,  and  in  a  few  minutes 
returned,  bearing  a  written  message,  which  he  placed 
in  the  prince's  hand.  The  latter,  after  dismissing  his 
man  with  the  injunction  to  remain  near  by,  proceeded 
to  peruse  the  writing.  On  glancing  over  it  he  suddenly 
turned  to  Teochma,  his  face  beaming  with  an  ex- 
pression of  joyful  surprise,  and  exclaimed  : 

"  Rejoice,  O  mother  of  Euetzin,  your  son  lives,  and 
is  among  friends !  " 

Teochma  was  dazed  and  speechless  for  a  moment, 
from  the  sudden  and  unexpected  announcement.  Re- 
covering herself,  she,  in  turn,  exclaimed  : 

"My  son,  my  Euet  alive,  and  among  friends!  O 
Prince,  do  not  unsay  that !  " 

"  I  shall  not  unsay  it,  Teochma ;  for  it  is  Itzalmo 
who  writes — Itzalmo,  Teochma,  who  is  truth  itself," 
returned  he,  with  a  glad  emphasis. 

"  Itzalmo,  Prince ;  is  he,  too,  alive  and  with  my  son  ?  " 

"Yes,  he  is  with  the  tzin,  but  does  not  explain.  It 
is  enough  to  know,  O  Teochma,  that  they  are  not 
prisoners.  Now,  indeed,  may  we  rejoice !  "  returned 
the  now  joyful  prince. 

The  communication  was  the  one  sent  by  the  old 
preceptor,  to  which  allusion  was  made  in  the  last 
chapter. 

The  good  news  quickly  spread,  and  the  cloud  of 
sorrow  which  had  hung  like  a  pall  over  the  friends  of 


330  A  PRINCE  OF  ANAHUAC. 

the  tzin  and  the  old  tutor  was  lifted,  and  general  re- 
joicing succeeded. 

Hualcoyotl  immediately  sent  a  summons  to  Cacami, 
who  was  at  his  home  in  the  country,  to  come  to  him  at 
once.  The  young  warrior  came  promptly,  in  obedience 
to  the  summons,  and  was  not  less  joyful  than  the 
prince  at  the  surprising  intelligence.  He  was  ordered 
to  take  a  sufficient  number  of  men  and  go  to  the  little 
town  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  the  wounded  tzin  and 
his  aged  companion  to  the  city.  The  duty,  under  the 
circumstances,  was  a  most  agreeable  one  to  Cacami, 
who  stood  not  upon  the  order  of  his  going,  but  set  off 
at  once  to  perform  it. 

From  a  house  of  sorrow  and  mourning  the  palace 
was  changed  to  one  of  joy  and  gladness  by  the  joyful 
news.  Its  halls  and  corridors  rang  with  the  music  of 
happy  voices,  impressing  the  royal  household  as  the 
inhabitant  of  the  winter  frozen  north  is  impressed  by 
the  glad  notes  of  spring,  heard  in  the  songs  of  the  re- 
turning forest  minstrels,  after  a  long  and  dreary  season 
of  storm  and  cold — incomparable  waking  of  ecstatic 
emotions. 


A    1'KINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  331 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

IN  order  that  the  reader  may  be  made  acquainted 
with  the  circumstances  in  Mitla's  case,  which  led 
to  her  appearance,  so  opportunely  for  Euetzin,  in  the 
camp  of  Maxtla's  defeated  army,  it  will  be  necessary 
for  us  to  go  back  to  the  holding  of  the  tournament 
at  Tlacopan,  and  notice,  briefly,  a  few  of  the  incidents 
connected  with  her  movements. 

When  Ix's  mountain  guard  came  to  that  city  to 
join  the  army,  they  did  so  as  individuals,  and  were 
accompanied  by  a  number  of  their  people,  consisting 
mostly  of  women  and  men  servants,  who  came,  espe- 
cially, to  witness  the  tourney.  Mitla  was  of  the  party, 
coming  at  the  request  of  Euetzin  to  take  part  in  the 
archers'  contest,  and  whose  skill,  it  will  be  remem- 
bered, proved  such  an  interesting  feature  of  the  occa- 
sion. 

The  real  object  for  which  the  tournament  was  got- 
ten up  had  not  become  known  beyond  the  circle  of 
close-mouthed  projectors  of  the  movement  against 
Maxtla,  and  Mitla,  as  one  of  the  public,  was  there- 
fore ignorant  of  what  was  to  follow.  She  was  to  have 
returned  to  her  home  at  the  conclusion  of  the  tour- 
ney, with  her  party,  but  when  the  excitement,  which 
ensued  upon  the  heels  of  it  because  of  the  unavoid- 
able publicity  of  the  movement,  became  absorbingly 
intense,  and  she  learned  the  true  situation  of  affairs, 


332  A   PRINCE   OF    ANAHUAC. 

she  determined  on  pursuing  a  different  course.  Her 
love  for  the  tzin,  which  had  so  quickly  become  an 
irresistible,  absorbing  passion,  and  which  had  given 
added  fervency  by  the  grandeur  of  the  scene  in  which 
he  was  a  conspicuous  figure,  and  she  an  object  of 
special  attention  and  admiration — together  with  a  long- 
ing desire  to  be  near  him,  which  had  suddenly  taken 
possession  of  her — outweighed  all  other  considerations, 
and  she  resolved  on  following  him  to  the  field.  How 
to  accomplish  this,  without  her  presence  in  the  army 
becoming  known  to  him,  was  a  matter  of  no  little  mo- 
ment— especially  to  her,  an  inexperienced  mountain 
girl.  However,  love  knows  no  barriers  too  great  to 
be  surmounted,  and  hers  was  not  an  exception.  She 
settled  the  question  by  procuring  the  necessary  ap- 
parel with  which  to  change  her  appearance  to  that  of 
a  boy,  which  she  carried  away  with  her  when  she  left 
the  city — presumably  to  return  to  her  home. 

The  first  night  out,  after  leaving  Tlacopan,  the 
madly  infatuated  maiden  took  advantage  of  circum- 
stances to  quietly  slip  from  among  her  people,  with 
a  view  to  carrying  out  her  determination  to  follow 
the  tzin.  Getting  far  enough  away  from  the  camp 
of  her  friends  to  feel  reasonably  secure  from  discovery, 
she  made  the  intended  transformation,  at  the  same 
time  deepening  the  color  of  her  complexion  by  using  a 
stain  procured  from  the  bark  of  a  tree.  When  the 
disguise  was  completed,  and  her  discarded  clothing 
carefully  concealed  where  it  could  be  found,  should 
the  opportunity  ever  come  around  for  recovering  it, 
she  started  on  her  backward  journey. 

Mitla  was  now  completely  lost  in  the  character  she 
had  assumed.  Her  closest  friends  would  not  have 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  333 

recognized  her,  so  perfect  was  the  disguise.  Instead 
of  a  beautiful  young  maiden,  a  stoutly-built,  well-ap- 
pearing lad,  with  a  very  dark  complexion,  moved  with 
hurried  step,  and  eyes  peering  almost  expectantly  into 
the  darkness  ahead  of  him,  in  the  direction  of  Tlaco- 
pan. 

The  adoption  of  a  name  for  herself,  corresponding 
with  her  disguise,  before  reaching  her  destination, 
now  became  a  necessary  expedient,  and  Mitla's  genius 
for  that  kind  of  invention  was  for  the  first  time — and, 
we  might  add,  the  last — brought  into  operation.  After 
calling  up  all  the  names  within  her  recollection,  and, 
inventing  not  a  few,  she  finally  settled  upon  Hualla — 
very  appropriate  and  well  suited,  a,nd  under  it  found 
her  way  into  the  allied  army. 

Fear  of  detection  made  the  disguised  maiden  wary 
of  getting  into  a  too  close  proximity  to  those  who 
knew  her  best.  This  led  her  to  avoid  the  mountain 
guard  and  her  Tezcucan  friends,  and  to  go  in  search 
of  the  gallant  young  leader  of  the  Tlacopan  army,  for 
whom  she  had  conceived  quite  a  liking,  from  his  genial 
and  kindly  disposition.  After  considerable  trouble 
and  worry  she  found  the  gracious  Macua,  and,  on 
being  admitted  to  his  presence,  told  him  that  she 
wished  to  go  with  the  army,  and  could  think  of  no 
position  which  she  could  fill  except  that  of  messenger, 
in  which  capacity,  she  asked,  would  he  kindly  allow 
her  to  serve  him.  She  made  an  attractive  appearing 
youth,  and  readily  found  favor  with  the  young  chief, 
who  immediately  installed  her  a  member  of  his  mili- 
tary household.  To  become  an  attachee  of  Macua's 
official  family  was  not  to  become  a  slave,  by  any 
means,  and  our  mountain  heroine  found  frequent 
means  for  gratifying  her  peculiar  longings. 


334  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

To  be  where  she  could  occasionally  have  a  look  at 
the  man  she  so  wildly  loved,  her  idol,  was  the  sole 
object  of  Mitla's  self-imposed  masquerading.  The 
tzin's  division  of  Tezcucans  was  soon  located  by  her, 
and  no  move  or  change  was  made  by  it  that  she  was 
not  aware  of.  Whenever  her  duty  brought  her  near  to 
where  the  young  cacique — a  title  the  tzin  had  ac- 
quired by  virtue  of  his  position  as  a  leader — was  sta- 
tioned, she  made  it  a  point  to  have  a  good  look  at  him, 
on  several  of  which  occasions  he  saw  her,  but,  think- 
ing her  only  an  inquisitive  lad,  paid  little  attention  to 
her  actions. 

When  the  great  battle  occurred,  Mitla  stationed  her- 
self where  every  move  the  tzin  made  could  be  watched 
by  her  unerring  eye  of  love.  When  Maxtla  made  his 
attack,  she  saw  with  bated  breath  the  terrible  struggle 
which  ensued,  and  when  Euetzin,  at  the  head  of  his 
Tezcucan  legion,  rushed  to  the  aid  of  the  hard  pressed 
allies,  her  heart  stood  still  from  fear  and  dread.  It 
was  not  long  after  this  when  it  became  a  difficult  mat- 
ter to  distinguish  friend  from  foe,  and  the  tzin  passed 
from  her  sight  to  be  seen  not  again  until  found  by  her 
in  the  enemy's  camp.  His  disappearance  relieved  the 
nervous  strain  the  sight  of  his  exposure  caused  her  to 
experience,  yet  deepened  her  anxiety  for  his  safety. 
The  time  seemed  an  age  to  her  in  which  the  opposing 
forces  struggled  with  each  other  for  the  mastery.  Vic- 
tory finally  came,  however,  to  crown  the  efforts  of 
those  in  whom  she  was  interested,  and  when  it  did 
come  she  was  quickly  mingling  with  the  triumphant 
warriors  of  the  tzin's  division,  to  learn  if  he  were  safe 
or  not.  When  it  was  discovered  that  he  was  missing, 
her  feelings  of  grief  and  dread  were  indescribable. 


A  PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  335 

She  could  be  brave  while  Euetzin  was  near  and  safe ; 
but,  if  lost,  what  should  she  do  ?  After  learning  to  a 
certainty  that  her  beloved  was  surely  a  prisoner,  as  the 
failure  to  find  his  body  on  the  battle  field  had  proven 
to  the  satisfaction  of  the  leaders,  she  resolved  to  follow 
the  retreating  army,  and,  if  he  were  discovered,  to  lib- 
erate him  or  die  in  the  attempt.  She  put  her  resolu- 
tion into  execution,  with  the  happy  result  already 
known  to  the  reader. 


Euetzin  experienced  a  good  deal  of  solicitude  for 
Mitla's  people  after  learning  what  had  been  her  course. 
Their  anxiety  and  distress  at  her  strange  and  mysteri- 
ous disappearance,  he  thought,  could  not  be  other  than 
extreme,  and  he  determined  that  they  should  be  re- 
lieved at  the  earliest  possible  moment.  He  communi- 
cated his  feelings  on  the  subject  to  her,  and  found  that 
she  was  not  a  little  worried  over  the  matter  herself, 
now  that  her  identity  was  revealed.  It  was  decided, 
in  view  of  the  unpropitious  circumstances,  that  she 
should  go  home  so  soon  as  arrangements  for  a  suit- 
able escort  could  be  made.  It  was  at  this  juncture  of 
the  situation  that  Cacami  and  his  party  came  upon  the 
scene. 

The  meeting  between  the  two  friends  was  very  cor- 
dial, which  evidenced  the  warm  feelings  of  friendship 
which  had  grown  up  between  them. 

The  particulars  of  the  tzin's  capture  and  escape,  in 
which  the  invaluable  services  rendered  by  Hualla  in 
effecting  the  latter  were  made  a  subject  of  special  men- 
tion, were  detailed  to  Cacami,  who  heard  the  account, 
especially  that  portion  of  it  relating  to  the  lad's  con- 


336  A    PRINCE   OP   ANAHUAC. 

duct,  with  no  little  astonishment.  His  astonishment 
in  this  connection,  however,  was  not  to  be  compared 
with  that  which  followed  when  he  was  let  into  the 
secret  of  Hualla's  identity,  and  informed  by  the  tzin 
that  it  was  his  purpose  to  make  the  brave  girl  his  wife. 

"I  am  lost  in  amazement,"  he  exclaimed,  "at  the 
surprises  which  seem  to  meet  me  at  every  turn  !  When 
will  they  cease?" 

"  Not  until  you  have  found  your  affinity,  Cacami ; 
have  made  your  proposal,  and  surprised  us  with  a  de- 
nouement," replied  the  tzin  pleasantly,  little  dreaming 
that  his  friend  had  already  found  his  affinity  in  his  own 
dear  sister,  and  that  a  surprise  would  come  out  of  it,  in 
comparison  with  which  the  surprise  of  Cacami  at  his 
declaration  would  be  as  nothing — but  we  anticipate. 

Euetzin  was  not  yet  sufficiently  recovered  to  bear 
moving,  and  as  Cacami  would  be  obliged  to  wait  or  re- 
turn to  Tezcuco  without  him,  the  latter,  on  learning  of 
the  tzin's  desire  that  Mitla  should  return  quickly  as 
might  be  to  her  people,  proposed  that  he  and  his  men 
should  be  her  escort.  Euetzin  thanked  him  for  the 
suggestion,  and  accepted  it  as  a  most  opportune  way 
out  of  a  very  peculiar  dilemma. 

A  transformation  now  took  place,  and  Hualla  ceased 
to  be,  except  in  the  recollections  of  the  tzin,  as  an  in- 
separable factor  in  a  portion  of  his  experience  which 
he  could  never  forget,  and  which  went  to  make  up  the 
most  eventful  period  of  his  life ;  while  Mitla,  happy  in 
the  consciousness  of  a  requited  love — though  realizing 
that  her  beauty  was  somewhat  marred  by  the  unnatural 
darkness  of  her  complexion — sat  by  the  bedside  of  her 
afflicted  lover  listening  to  the  words  of  endearment 
which  he  was  speaking. 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  337 

"  Hualla,  the  noble  lad,  to  whom  I  owed  so  great  a 
debt,  is  no  more,"  he  was  saying ;  "  yet  he  will  never 
be  forgotten.  He  has  left  a  legacy  to  you,  Mitla,  in  my 
gratitude  for  his  brave  conduct  in  my  behalf.  Thus 
you  will  have  a  double  portion :  my  gratitude  to  him, 
and  my  best  love  for  your  dear  self.  Are  you  not 
happy,  Mitla  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Euetzin,  more  happy  than  I  can  tell,"  was  her 
reply ;  still,  her  actions  did  not  warrant  it.  The 
thought  that  she  must  part  from  him  at  this  time 
pressed  heavily  upon  her  heart,  and  when  she  had 
spoken,  she  dropped  her  head  upon  the  hand  which 
she  was  holding ;  as  she  did  so,  a  tear  trickled  down 
over  her  cheek  and  fell  upon  it. 

"  Why,  Mitla!"  exclaimed  the  tzin,  anxiously,  "you 
are  in  tears !  What  has  disturbed  you  ?  " 

"  They  are  tears  of  joy,  Euetzin,  mingled  with  sad- 
ness— sadness  that  I  am  about  to  leave  you,  and  you 
so  ill.  I  would  remain  to  nurse  you  back  to  health, 
but  you  have  advised,  wisely,  no  doubt,  that  I  should 
go ;  and  I  feel  restrained,  against  inclination,  to  do  so, 
that  my  people  may  no  longer  mourn  for  me  as  lost." 

"  Yes,  Mitla,  it  will  be  better  so.  I  will  soon  be  well 
— thanks  to  you — and  back  in  Tezcuco,  where  you 
shall  early  join  me,  to  go  away  no  more ;  then  our 
happiness  will  be  complete.  You  must  be  brave;  it 
were  not  like  Hualla  to  weep,"  spoke  the  tzin,  per- 
suasively. 

"  I  will  weep  no  more,  Euetzin ;  you  shall  see  that 
she  whom  you  love  is  brave,  even  as  Hualla,"  she 
replied,  wiping  away  her  tears. 

Euetzin  realized  that  the  time  was  close  at  hand 
when  the  escort  would  come  to  take  his  loved  Mitla 
from  him,  and  drawing  her  to  him,  he  said : 


338  A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

"  Your  unbounded  love,  which  saved  and  brought 
me  where  I  am,  is  worth  more  than  all  else  in  the 
world  to  me ;  and  my  life's  best  effort  shall  be  to  make 
you  happy.  Go  from  me  with  this  assurance,  and 
think  only  of  the  joy  our  reunion  will  bring." 

The  lover's  parting  kiss  was  exchanged,  and  Mitla 
disengaged  herself  from  the  tzin's  embrace — none  too 
soon  either ;  for  just  then  Cacami  entered  to  say  that 
the  palanquin  awaited  her  occupancy.  A  few  minutes 
later  she  had  taken  her  seat  in  the  chair,  and  the  little 
procession  moved  away. 

Under  Cacami's  careful  direction  Mitla  was  trans- 
ported in  comfort  and  safety  back  to  her  mountain 
home.  Her  arrival  there  was  the  return  of  a  loved 
one  given  up  as  lost.  The  meeting  was  very  affecting, 
filled  as  it  was  with  a  terrible  struggle  between  love 
and  joy,  and  a  feeling  of  injured  confidence  and  resent- 
ment for  the  mastery  in  the  hearts  of  the  aggrieved 
parents.  Cacami,  fearful  that  harsh  treatment  might 
be  in  store  for  the  offending  daughter,  pleaded  her 
cause  with  earnestness  and  eloquence  : 

"  Mitla,  though  blamable  from  a  prudential  stand- 
point, has  proven  herself  a  heroine.  Had  not  her  hand, 
O  Tezcot,  the  hand  of  your  child,  brought  succor  and 
release  to  Euetzin,  he  would  to-day,  if  alive,  be  in  the 
hands  of  Maxtla,  awaiting  the  awful  fate  of  a  prisoner 
of  war.  It  was  her  great  love  that  saved  to  us  a  noble 
friend.  Such  devotion  is  worthy  the  reward  it  has 
won :  Euetzin's  plighted  troth.  They  will  wed,  and 
the  daughter  of  the  wise  hunter,  the  friend  of  the  great 
Ixtlilchoatl,  will  become  the  happy  wife  of  a  noble, 
who  will  assuredly  be  among  the  exalted  of  the  king's 
household.  Forget  her  imprudence,  O  Tezcot,  O 


A  PRINCE   OF  AN  AH  U  AC.  339 

Xochitl,  and  forgive.  Euetzin  asks  it,  and  I  plead 
for  it." 

"  Mitla  is  dear  to  the  hearts  of  all  her  people,  and 
we  do  not  forget,  while  blaming  her,  that  she  should 
have  our  sympathy,  for  she  was  greatly  affected  by 
love  for  the  tzin,"  replied  the  generous  Tezcot.  ""Yes, 
we  will  forget  and  forgive,  for  our  love's  sake,  and 
the  sake  of  our  friends.  So  say  you  to  Euetzin." 

After  a  day  of  rejoicing  and  feasting  with  the  family 
of  the  hunter,  Cacami  and  his  party  started  on  their 
return  journey,  the  young  warrior  leader  happy  and 
exultant  from  the  success  of  his  efforts  as  a  peace- 
maker. 

In  due  time  the  little  party  was  back  with  the  tzin, 
to  find  him  sufficiently  recovered  to  allow  of  his  trans- 
fer to  Tezcuco. 

Happy,  indeed,  was  the  hour  in  which  Euetzin  and 
Itzalmo  were  set  down  in  the  Tezcucan  palace,  and 
the  little  circle  of  friends,  so  ruthlessly  broken  up  by 
the  Tepanec  despot,  was  again  complete.  To  empha- 
size his  pleasure,  the  prince  ordered  a  grand  recep- 
tion and  banquet  to  be  given  in  honor  of  the  res- 
toration of  his  friends.  It  was  a  glorious  time  of 
rejoicing,  hardly  less  affecting  than  were  the  scenes 
which  followed  the  prince's  return  to  his  joyful  peo- 
ple a  victorious  leader. 

"  I^et  joy  be  unconfined  !  "  Hualcoyotl  might  have 
proclaimed  in  that  hour  of  a  happy  reunion  ;  and  yet, 
how  deep  was  the  mental  affliction  which,  all  unknown 
to  him,  was  then  hanging  over  and  threatening  not 
only  his  own  peace  of  mind,  but  that  of  nearly  all  the 
chief  participants  in  the  pleasurable  event. 


340  A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

WE  pass  over  the  ceremonies  which  made  Hual- 
coyotl  a  king,  except  to  say  that  the  occasion 
was  of  an  exceptional  character,  and  one  that  could 
take  place  only  under  conditions  in  which  barbaric 
ideas  of  pomp  and  splendor  are  brought  into  opera- 
tion in  the  achievement  of  a  climax  at  once  imposing 
and  ostentatious.  Many  of  the  nobility  from  the  sur- 
rounding principalities  were  present  to  witness  the 
grand  pageant,  among  whom  was  the  Aztec  monarch, 
one  of  the  line  from  which  sprang  the  first  and  sec- 
ond Montezumas — possibly  Itzcoatl,  a  son  of  the  first. 
He  was  there  not  only  as  a  witness  of  the  pageantry, 
but  to  congratulate  his  young  kinsman,  the  Prince  of 
Tezcuco,  on  his  accession  to  the  throne  of  his  ances- 
tors ;  and,  also — we  may  further  presume — to  seek  an 
immediate  alliance  with  him  for  the  purpose  of  waging 
a  war  of  extermination  against  Maxtla,  whose  arbi- 
trary and  insolent  conduct  had  so  wrought  upon  the 
feelings  of  the  Mexican  prince  that  he  had  resolved, 
with  the  help  of  his  neighbor,  to  destroy  the  power 
and  influence  of  the  Tepanec  dynasty  forever,  by  its 
complete  subversion. 

Hualcoyotl  could  not  be  assured  of  a  continued  and 
uninterrupted  reign  so  long  as  his  powerful  and  mor- 
tal enemy  was  permitted  to  exercise  his  despotic  and 
aggressive  disposition,  and  readily  consented  to  join 


A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  34! 

his  royal  cousin,  of  Tenochtitlan,  in  a  crusade  against 
him. 

The  first  business  of  the  new  king,  however,  was 
the  organization  of  his  governmental  household — the 
selection  of  his  chief  officials  who  should  comprise  his 
privy  council.  In  filling  the  most  exalted  positions, 
he  remembered  those  who  had  been  his  personal 
friends  when  friendship  was  at  a  premium  with  him. 
Itzalmo  was  made  his  chief  counselor,  Ixtlilchoatl  his 
chief  war  officer,  and  Euetzin  his  chief  officer  of  state. 
In  the  latter  he  invested  unusual  authority,  placing 
in  his  charge  all  matters  of  a  tribal  character.  Ca- 
cami  was  not  forgotten,  but,  by  his  own  expressed 
wish,  assigned  to  an  important  position  in  the  army, 
near  the  person  of  Ixtlilchoatl. 

Tezcot  and  Menke,  who  were  in  attendance  at  the 
ceremony  of  enthronement,  were  pressed  to  unite  their 
destiny  with  Tezcuco,  but,  preferring  a  life  in  the 
mountains  to  one  of  luxury  at  the  capital  of  their 
newly  acquired  friends,  declined  to  do  so.  This  the 
appreciative  prince  regretted,  for  he  was  anxious  to 
express  his  gratitude,  in  some  substantial  manner,  for 
the  friendship  they  had  shown  him  when  he  was  an 
outlawed  wanderer — which  he  could  do  best  by  mak- 
ing them  favored  retainers  in  his  official  retinue. 

Hualcoyotl  was  not  too  busy  to  think  of  carrying 
out  his  purpose  of  making  Itlza  his  queen,  and  now, 
that  he  was  a  king,  sought,  without  delay,  an  oppor- 
tunity in  which  to  communicate  to  her  his  intentions. 
The  extensive  conservatory,  connected  with  the 
palace,  of  which  previous  mention  has  been  made, 
was  a  favorite  retreat  of  Itzla's,  which  the  prince  had 
discovered,  and  here  he  determined  to  find  and  ac- 
quaint her  with  his  designs. 


342  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

At  a  certain  hour  on  each  day,  in  the  afternoon, 
it  was  her  custom  to  go  into  this  pleasant  and  retired 
place  alone.  That  she  remained  unaccompanied 
while  there  may  be  doubted,  however,  since  Cacami 
spent  much  of  his  time  at  the  palace. 

On  an  afternoon  only  a  few  days  subsequent  to  the 
crowning  of  the  prince,  Itlza  entered  the  conservatory 
with  light  and  eager  step.  Her  face  was  brightened 
by  a  joyous  gleaming  which  beamed  from  her  beautiful 
laughing  eyes,  and  there  was  upon  it  an  expression  of 
expectancy,  as  if  some  pleasurable  event  was  an- 
ticipated and  near  at  hand.  She  hummed,  in  monotone, 
a  droll  little  theme  of  native  music,  as  she  moved 
about  the  place  on  pleasure  bent. 

Although  the  work  of  restoration  had  been  com- 
menced, and  the  erstwhile  beauty  of  the  once  enchant- 
ing resort  had  begun  to  reassert  itself;  still,  traces  of 
neglect,  which  had  been  permitted  to  creep  over  and 
mar  a  former  perfection  of  arrangement,  were  present 
in  the  conservatory  to  disenchant  the  esthetical  be- 
holder. Yet,  to  a  person  who  might  have  been  sus- 
pected of  only  seeking  a  means  whereby  to  gain  an 
end,  as  in  Itlza's  case,  the  imperfection  was  of  little 
consequence. 

Presently,  and  without  notice  to  the  happy  dreamer, 
she  was  brought  face  to  face  with  Hualcoyotl,  who 
had  come  upon  her  unobserved.  She  greeted  him 
courteously,  yet  was  slightly  confused  and  uneasy,  as 
if  a  pleasant  anticipation  had  suddenly  been  broken 
in  on. 

"Will  you  be  seated,  Itlza?"  said  he,  graciously, 
directing  her  to  a  low  bench  a  little  distance  away.  "  I 
have  something  of  interest—  at  least  of  interest  to  me, 
and  which  ought  to  be  to  youself — to  say  to  you." 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  343 

What  could  the  surprised  and  disquieted  maiden  do 
but  comply  ?  A  request  from  Hualcoyotl  was  to  her  a 
command,  and  she  permitted  herself  to  be  conducted 
to  the  bench.  When  she  was  seated,  he  continued : 

"Are  you  happy,  Itlza,  in  this  palace  home  of 
mine?  " 

"  Your  home  is  very  enjoyable,  and  will  be  beautiful 
and  full  of  pleasantness  when  you  are  through  with  its 
improvement.  I  would  be  very  unappreciative  not  to 
enjoy  it  to  the  extent  of  being  happy,"  she  replied, 
wondering  to  what  the  question  would  lead. 

"Yes,  my  home  will  be  beautiful;  but,  Itlza,  it  will 
be  like  the  cage  of  a  bird,  the  one  occupant  of  which 
is  without  a  mate,"  he  returned,  looking  at  her  with 
an  expression  of  fondness,  which,  when  she  raised  her 
eyes  inquiringly  to  his,  she  did  not  fail  to  comprehend. 
She  became  much  disturbed,  but  thought  she  must  say 
something,  and  spoke  as  follows  : 

"The  King  of  Tezcuco  need  not  be  long  without  a 
mate ;  for  there  is  many  a  charming  cihuatl  (woman) 
who  would  be  pleased  to  come  into  his  palace  home  to 
reign  as  queen.  He  has  only  to  command,  and  the 
most  beautiful  princesses  in  all  the  Anahuac  will  be 
his  to  choose  from." 

"  Itlza,  have  you  forgotten  the  hours,  long  ago,  when 
a  lad  and  little  lass  played  and  romped  over  the  hills 
of  Zelmonco?  "  he  questioned.  "  If  you  have  forgotten, 
I  am  sorry ;  for  I  have  not.  Blissfully  ignorant  were 
we  then,"  he  went  on,  "  of  the  sorrows  and  griefs  of 
the  future;  and  happy  in  our  innocent  simplicity, 
thinking  only  of  the  joys  and  pleasures  of  an  artless 
childhood." 

"  No,  I  have  not   forgotten.     Those  were,  indeed, 


344  A   PRINCE    OF   AN  AH  U  AC. 

happy  times,"  she  replied,  a  frightened  look  covering 
her  face. 

"  In  those  times,  Itlza,  I  thought  of  you  as  my  future 
mate,  and  now  that  I  am  a  man,  with  wisdom  to  choose, 
I  would  verify  those  boyish  dreams  by  making  you 
my  queen.  You  will  fill  that  place  in  my  heart,  as 
well  as  in  my  palace,  as  no  other  can,  though  she  were 
the  greatest  princess  of  Anahuac;  for,  Itlza,  I  love 
you."  He  paused  an  instant  to  watch  the  effect  of  his 
declaration.  "  I  would  have  you  come  to  me,"  he 
continued,  "not  by  command,  but  by  choice.  Will 
you  be  my  queen,  Itlza  ?  " 

The  graveness  of  the  situation  now  dawned  upon 
her  mind  with  a  terrible  force — Hualcoyotl  had  chosen 
her  to  be  his  queen.  She  was  dumbfounded,  and  con- 
sternation was  depicted  on  her  face.  She  did  not  dare 
to  look  up.  The  prince,  after  waiting  a  moment  for  a 
reply,  again  spoke : 

"  You  are  silent,  Itlza ;  have  you  nothing  to  say  for 
the  honor  I  am  about  to  confer  upon  you?" 

Recovering  herself  sufficiently  to  speak,  she  said,  in 
a  scared  tone  of  voice  : 

"  Your  proposal,  O  Hualcoyotl,  has  come  upon  me 
so  suddenly  that  I  am  confused ;  I  was  not  expecting 
it.  What  says  Teochma,  my  mother?  " 

"  That  Itlza  shall  be  Queen  of  Tezcuco,"  he  replied, 
piquantly,  being  disappointed  and  displeased  with  her 
reception  of  his  proposal. 

"  It  is  all  so  sudden,  so  startling,  I  am  overwhelmed 
with  confusion.  You  will,  I'm  sure,  O  noblest  of 
friends,  give  me  time  to  think?  "  she  questioned,  hop- 
ing to  secure  a  respite,  if  only  for  a  little  time,  that 
she  might  become  reconciled  to  the  inevitable,  if  such 
a  thing  were  possible. 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  345 

Yes,  I  will  give  you  time,  Itlza — a  few  days,  but  I 
may  not  be  disappointed,  for  I  have  set  my  heart  upon 
making  you  Queen  of  Tezcuco — my  queen." 

Unobserved  by  the  prince  and  Itlza,  another  person, 
a  man,  entered  the  conservatory,  hurriedly  and  ex- 
pectantly, but,  on  coming  near  to  where  they  were, 
he  heard  the  sound  of  someone  talking,  which  caused 
him  to  stop  and  listen.  His  position  was  screened 
from  observation  by  foliage,  and,  had  he  been  so  dis- 
posed, he  might  have  remained  an  unseen  listener  to 
what  followed,  but  he  did  not.  He  recognized  the 
prince's  voice,  and,  although  he  could  not  see  her,  he 
felt  sure  it  was  Itlza  he  was  speaking  to.  He  caught 
the  words,  "  for  I  have  set  my  heart  upon  making  you 
Queen  of  Tezcuco — my  queen,"  and  they  fell  upon  his 
ear  like  the  crack  of  a  fearful  doom.  He  waited  to 
hear  no  more,  but  quickly  turned  away  and  left  the 
place  as  hurriedly  as  he  had  entered  it. 

Itlza  gathered  herself  together  for  a  final  plea,  and 
said : 

"  I  would  not  seem  unkind  or  unappreciative  toward 
the  dear  friend  of  my  childhood,  whom  I  esteem  above 
all  men,  and  look  upon  almost  as  one  of  my  own  blood. 
You  are  like  a  brother  to  me,  noble  Hualcoyotl,  but 
not  like  a  lover." 

"  You  will  yet  learn  to  love  me,  Itlza.  You  shall 
remain  in  my  palace,  and  I  will  teach  you,"  he  re- 
joined, persuasively. 

"  Is  there  not  someone  else,  O  prince,  more  worthy 
and  lovable  than  I,  who  would  be  pleased  to  become 
your  queen,  whose  love  might  be  had  for  the  asking  ?  " 
she  pleaded,  paying  no  attention  to  his  persuasive 
tones. 


346  A   PRINCE    OP   ANAHUAC. 

Hualcoyotl  was  inexorable.  He  had  resolved  on  a 
purpose,  and  was  not  to  be  dissuaded  from  pursuing  it 
to  the  end.  He  said  decidedly  : 

"  The  King  of  Tezcuco  may  find  others  to  love  him, 
but  not  another  to  be  his  queen.  You,  O  Itlza,  my  first 
and  only  love,  shall  fill  that  place.  I  am  king — my 
word  is  law.  I  have  said  it.  Be  wise,  O  Itlza,  in  this 
matter,  and  study  to  become  the  chief  lady  of  the  na- 
tion." As  he  finished  speaking  he  knelt  on  one  knee, 
took  her  hand  and  pressed  it  to  his  forehead — a  mode 
of  affectionate  salutation,  the  kiss  being  reserved  for 
those  who  were  endeared — after  which  action  he  turned 
away,  leaving  her  to  the  terrible  realization  of  the  hope- 
lessness of  her  love  for  Cacami,  and  the  certainty  of  a 
compulsory  marriage  with  him,  which  death  alone 
could  prevent. 

She  was  now  alone,  in  the  saddest  sense,  with  no 
eye  to  witness  the  anguish  of  soul  with  which  she  was 
stricken,  and  to  which  she  now  gave  away.  Throwing 
herself  prostrate  upon  the  ground  she  forgot  all  else 
but  her  crushed  hopes,  and  moaned  in  the  agony  of 
despair.  She  did  not  realize  the  quick  approach  and 
presence  of  the  one  for  the  love  of  whom  she  was  now 
caused  to  suffer.  He  stood  over  her  for  a  moment, 
contemplating  her  agony,  while  on  his  face  was  unmis- 
takable evidence  of  great  distress  of  mind.  Though 
strong  in  his  manhood,  he  could  not  entirely  restrain 
his  feelings,  and  could  not  have  been  expected  to  while 
his  breast  was  being  torn  by  a  tempest  of  conflicting 
emotions.  He  presently  kneeled  at  her  side,  and  called 
softly : 

"Itlza!"     At  the  sound  of  her  name  on  her  loved 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC.  347 

one's  lips  she  arose,  and,  throwing  herself  into  his  arms, 
cried  in  accents  of  unutterable  woe : 
"  Cacami !     Cacami !  " 


The  lovers  had  arranged  for  a  meeting  in  the  con- 
servatory, and  Itlza,  happy  in  the  anticipation  of  an 
hour  of  sweet  converse  with  her  beloved,  had  come  to 
fulfill  her  tryst,  and,  as  we  have  seen,  was  met  by  the 
prince.  Just  when  the  latter,  with  mind  wholly  ab- 
sorbed in  the  object  which  had  brought  him  to  the  con- 
servatory, was  becoming  impatient  and  imperative  in 
his  language  at  the  unexpected  evidence  of  a  disinclin- 
ation on  the  part  of  the  former  to  look  with  favor  up- 
on his  proposal  to  honor  her  above  all  other  women, 
and  she,  too  much  frightened  to  think  of  anything  save 
the  terrible  fact  that  her  anticipations  of  a  happy  future 
with  him  she  loved  were  about  to  be  shipwrecked — for- 
ever swept  away — Cacami,  unheard  by  them,  came  up- 
on the  ground  in  the  joyful  expectation  of  soon  meet- 
ing the  object  of  his  love.  On  discovering  that  Hual- 
coyotl  was  there  ahead  of  him,  talking  with  Itlza,  and 
learning  the  significance  of  his  presence  from  the  few 
words  which  reached  him,  he  was  overwhelmed  with 
amazement  at  the  disclosure.  He  could  not  in  honor 
remain  to  hear  another  word,  so,  quickly  turning  on 
his  heel,  withdrew. 

The  hopelessness  of  his  suit  with  Itlza  was  at  once 
apparent  to  the  astounded  lover ;  a  king  stood  between 
them,  and,  according  to  law — an  established  fiat,  espe- 
cially favorable  to  rulers  to  protect  them  in  their  family 
relations,  particularly  in  the  choice  of  a  wife — death 
would  be  the  consequence  should  he  marry  her,  or  even 


348  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

persist  in  meeting  her  clandestinely  and  be  detected 
in  it. 

It  would  have  been  different  had  he  made  Itlza  his 
affianced  previous  to  her  coming  to  the  palace,  even 
without  the  knowledge  of  the  mother  and  brother; 
and  possibly  afterward  had  he  anticipated  the  prince ; 
but  now  his  chance  was  gone ;  and,  O,  how  he  re- 
gretted the  delay.  No  one,  save  themselves,  knew 
that  they  were  lovers,  so  closely  had  they  guarded 
their  secret ;  and  since  no  pledge  of  troth  had  been 
exchanged,  they  must  bide  the  result. 

How  could  he  give  her  up  ?  The  more  he  reflected 
on  the  matter,  the  greater  became  his  distress  of  mind. 
He  did  not  for  a  moment  think  of  Itlza  as  a  willing 
listener  to  the  king's  proposal  to  make  her  his  queen, 
and  he  resolved  to  return  to  the  conservatory  so  soon 
as  his  royal  rival  should  depart  from  it,  to  condole  with 
her,  which  he  did,  only  to  find  her  in  the  throes  of  an 
utter  hopelessness.  Their  discovery  of  each  other,  so 
full  of  woebegoneuess,  has  been  noted. 

The  despairing  maiden  clung  to  her  lover,  pleadingly, 
as  if  he  might  have  saved  her  from  her  impending  fate. 
He  held  her  to  his  breast  in  a  close  embrace,  and  if 
endearing  words  and  passionate  kisses — the  first  he 
had  dared  to  bestow — could  have  effected  a  relief  to 
her  overwrought  feelings,  they  must  have  found  it  in 
his. 

"You  must  not  be  torn  from  me  thus,"  he  said, 
passionately,  after  she  had  explained,  between  sobs 
and  moans,  how  determined  the  prince  was  in  his 
purpose.  "  No,  dear,  sorrowing  Laughing-eyes,  death 
alone  shall  separate  us." 

"  What,  indeed,  O  Cacami,  but  death  or  submission 
is  left  for  both  of  us,"  moaned  the  hapless  maiden. 


A    PRINCE    OP   ANAHUAC.  349 

"  You  put  it  well  and  true,  Itlza.  I  had  not  thought 
of  death  for  you;  I  was  thinking  only  of  myself;  but, 
alas !  the  result  will  be  the  same  for  both  of  us.  I 
should  not  ask  of  you  so  great  a  sacrifice.  No,  my 
poor,  lorne  love,  I  must  give  you  up." 

"  You  shall  not  give  me  up,  Cacami !  Let  it  be  mine 
to  choose  whether  I  will  wear  a  crown,  or  cleave  to 
you  at  the  risk  of  death.  It  will  be  no  fault  of  yours, 
then,  if  I  should  choose  to  die,"  she  answered,  deter- 
minedly. 

"  What  can  I  say  ?  If  I  alone  were  held  responsible 
I  could  quickly  choose;  but  you,  poor  darling,  must 
suffer  too." 

"If  you  can  suffer  for  the  love  of  me,  why  not  I  for 
a  like  reason  ?  Is  my  love  less  powerful  than  yours, 
that  I  am  a  woman  ?  Cacami,  you  shall  not  choose  to 
cast  me  off,  even  if  it  be  to  save  my  life.  The  choice, 
I  pray  you,  shall  be  mine." 

"  Then,  if  you  will,  choose  wisely,  L,aughing-eyes ; 
remembering  that  a  crown  and  the  love  of  a  noble  man 
are  on  one  hand,  while  on  the  other  are  only  Cacami 
and  death." 

"Yes,  I  will  choose  between  you — the  good  king 
and  Cacami — but  it  will  not  be  to  trample  on  my  love 
— my  heart.  No,  not  for  a  crown  at  the  hands  of  so 
good  a  man  as  Hualcoyotl,"  she  answered,  earnestly. 
Continuing,  she  said :  "  I  would  not  lead  you  to  death, 
O  Cacami,  my  love  ;  yet,  I  choose  to  go  with  you,  even 
to  that  end." 

"  Then  be  it  so ;  we  will  stand  or  fall  together,"  he 
returned,  holding  her  in  a  closer  embrace. 

An  idea  at  this  instant  occurred  to  Itlza,  and,  gath- 
ering a  little  courage  from  it,  she  said: 


350  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

"  Why  may  we  not  escape  to  another  country,  Ca- 
cami,  or  to  the  mountains — anywhere,  so  we  be  not 
separated?" 

"  Hualcoyotl  would  find  us  though  we  were  hidden 
in  the  fastness  of  the  farthest  mountain.  No,  Laughing- 
eyes,  there  is  hope  only  in  marriage,  and  the  kindness 
of  the  court  which  shall  try  us ;  otherwise  it  must  be 
separation  or  death,"  he  replied,  despondingly. 

"  Then,  let  us  wed.  I  will  be  your  bride,  though  it 
be  unto  death,"  she  said,  creeping  closer  to  him. 

"If  you  so  decide,  thus  it  shall  be,  my  brave  Laugh- 
ing-eyes. We  will  wed,  and,  if  need  be,  die  together." 

"  I  vow  to  you,  O  Cacami,  that  naught  but  death 
shall  part  us,  and,  since  thus  to  you  I  give  my  pledge, 
I  pray  you  bind  it  with  the  seal  of  troth,"  she  said, 
trustingly,  putting  up  her  carmine-tinted  lips  to  re- 
ceive the  kiss  which  was  to  seal  the  sacred  compact. 
Their  lips  met,  and  two  souls  were  united  unto  death 
by  one  prolonged,  loving  embrace,  from  which  they 
drew  calmness — the  calmness  which  is  found  in  the 
strength  of  a  plighted  faith,  made  enduring  by  the 
kiss,  which,  to  them,  was  a  seal,  indissoluble  except 
by  death. 


A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  351 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

AN  alliance  between  the  Mexican  and  Tezcucan 
kings,  for  the  purpose  of  engaging  in  a  crusade 
against  the  Tepanec  monarch,  was  duly  effected,  and 
the  usual  preliminaries — a  declaration  of  war,  etc. — 
were  gone  through  with,  preparatory  to  the  opening 
of  hostilities. 

Maxtla  had  reconstructed  his  imperial  army,  and 
his  faith  in  its  ability  to  cope  with  the  combined  armies 
of  his  adversaries  led  him  to  meet  the  demands  made 
upon  him  with  reckless  defiance.  He  reckoned  on  hav- 
ing all  the  advantages  of  a  defensive  warfare  on  his  side 
in  which  his  opponents  would  be  compelled  to  meet 
him  on  ground  of  his  own  choosing — a  situation  which 
would  put  him  in  a  position  of  vantage  not  to  be  con- 
temned. 

Hualcoyotl,  meanwhile,  made  many  kindly  advances 
with  a  view  to  reconciling  Itlza  to  their  contemplated 
union.  She  received  his  attentions  with  due  respect, 
and  at  the  same  time  tried  to  be  affable,  but  there  was 
that  in  her  conduct  which  was  not  natural — a  lack  ot 
spontaneity  of  manner,  so  marked  in  her  former  naive, 
unaffected  bearing.  The  prince  saw  that  he  was  not 
succeeding  to  any  appreciable  degree,  and  decided  to 
let  matters  rest  as  they  were,  for  the  present,  hoping 
that  time,  and  a  proper  consideration  of  the  advan- 
tages held  out  to  her  in  a  marriage  with  him,  would 


352  A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC. 

work  a  favorable  change  in  her  inexplicable  attitude, 
thus  avoiding  a  resort  to  compulsory  measures.  Hav- 
ing decided  on  this  course,  he  turned  his  attention 
wholly  to  state  affairs,  and  the  necessary  preparations 
for  leading  his  army  to  the  field  against  his  old  en- 
emy. 

Ixtlilchoatl  was  again  placed  where  he  could  exer- 
cise his  wonderful  genius  as  a  leader  of  armies,  by 
being  put  in  command  of  the  combined  forces  of 
Mexico  and  Tezcuco,  leaving  the  kings  to  lead  their 
respective  warriors.  The  great  aggregation,  with  the 
hermit  chief  at  its  head,  was  soon  on  the  move,  and 
the  fight  began.  The  campaign  was  a  vigorous  one, 
which,  after  a  series  of  hard-fought  battles,  ended  in 
Maxtla  being  forced  back  behind  the  walls  of  his 
capital,  where  he  was  encompassed  and  a  close  siege 
of  the  royal  city  entered  upon. 

In  his  confidence  of  being  able  to  repel  the  invad- 
ers of  his  imperial  domain  the  Tepanec  monarch  had 
neglected  to  provide  against  such  an  emergency  as  a 
siege,  and  was,  therefore,  wholly  unprepared  for  it. 
Under  such  conditions  it  became,  in  due  time,  a  ques- 
tion of  surrender,  or  marching  out  and  giving  the 
beleaguerants  battle.  The  result  was  a  mass  sally,  and 
the  ensuance  of  a  desperate  and  bloody  struggle, 
which  terminated  in  the  complete  rout  and  disper- 
sion of  the  beleaguered  army,  and  Maxtla's  undiscov- 
ered flight  for  personal  safety. 

The  proud  city  of  Azcapozalco  was  totally  destroyed, 
and  those  of  its  inhabitants  who  were  not  killed,  or 
did  not  get  away,  were  doomed  to  a  life  of  slavery,  or 
death  by  sacrifice,  while  the  territory  of  the  once  dom- 
inant empire  was  converted  into  a  great  slave  mart- 


A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  353 

which,  in  after  years,  became  the  central  market  for 
that  nefarious  traffic  for  the  whole  of  Anahuac. 

Maxtla  was  hunted  down,  captured  and  turned  over 
to  the  mercies  of  the  Aztec  king,  who  condemned  him 
to  death  at  the  hands  of  the  priests — a  victim  of  sacri- 
fice to  the  Mexican  gods.  Thus  perished  the  most 
cruel  and  despotic  of  all  the  named  princes  of  Anahuac, 
and  was  avenged  one  who  proved  himself  to  be  the 
peer  of  the  noblest. 

In  the  destruction  of  the  Tepanec  domination  was 
removed  the  only  cause  of  apprehension  to  the  new 
king  of  Tezcuco.  He  returned  to  his  capital  in  the 
confidence  of  a  perfect  security,  and  engaged  in  his 
kingly  duties  with  a  mind  free  from  the  fear  of  inva- 
sion or  opposition,  and  with  the  determination  to 
make  his  reign  a  successful  and  brilliant  one,  which  he 
did,  a§  history  records ;  in  fact,  it  excelled  in  wisdom 
and  grandeur  that  of  any  known  prince  of  Anahuac, 
not  excepting  the  Montezumas. 

The  king  was  again  brought  into  daily  intercourse 
with  his  household,  a  member  of  which  Itlza  continued 
to  be.  She  had  kept  her  own  counsel,  so  far  as  her 
affairs  with  the  prince  and  Cacami  were  concerned, 
leaving  her  family  in  ignorance  of  what  had  trans- 
pired. There  had  come  a  settled  purpose  in  the  ex- 
pression of  her  face,  which  was  careworn  and  deeply 
thoughtful. 

Feeling  secure  in  his  rights  as  the  king  of  Tez- 
cuco, Hualcoyotl  now  felt  that  his  palace  should  have 
a  queen,  and  he  resolved  to  bring  matters  between 
himself  and  Itlza  to  a  crisis.  So  the  first  opportunity 
which  should  offer  itself  was  to  be  improved  to  inform 
her  that  the  marriage  must  take  place  at  an  early  day. 


354  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

He  had  gone  too  far  to  recede  from  his  purpose  of 
making  her  his  wife.  He  was  a  man  of  firmness,  and 
would  not  be  defeated  in  the  accomplishment  of  de- 
signs so  closely  affecting  his  honor.  He  was  a  king, 
and  the  wish  of  a  king  was  law. 

It  so  happened  that  he  met  Itlza  at  the  entrance  to 
the  conservatory,  and,  deeming  it  a  favorable  opportu- 
nity to  make  known  his  wishes,  he  requested  her  to 
accompany  him  within.  He  conducted  her  to  the 
same  bench  on  which  she  was  seated  at  their  former 
meeting. 

Itlza  divined  the  object  he  had  in  asking  her  to  go 
with  him  to  that  sadly  memorable  spot,  and  her  soul 
was  filled  with  apprehension  as  to  what  would  follow. 
When  she  was  seated,  Hualcoyotl,  who  continued  to 
occupy  a  standing  posture  before  her,  began  by  say- 
ing: 

"Itlza,  you  no  doubt  understand  why  I  have 
brought  you  here.  It  is  to  talk  with  you  about  our 
marriage.  You  asked  me  for  time.  I  have  granted  it 
to  you  to  an  extent  which  should  satisfy  you  that  I  am 
desirous  of  showing  you  the  greatest  consideration.  I 
have  chosen  to  exalt  you  by  making  you  my  queen ; 
in  doing  which  I  feel  that  I  am  conferring  honorable 
distinction  upon  a  most  worthy  family,  as  well  as  grat- 
ifying the  fondest  wish  of  my  heart.  I  now  ask  that 
you  will  prepare  to  wed  me  at  an  early  day.  Let  us 
have  done  with  pleadings  and  expostulations,  and  look 
forward  to  our  union  with  that  happy  anticipation 
which  should  mark  the  period  of  an  approaching  cor- 
onation of  a  lovely  queen." 

"  You  and  yours,  O  King,  have  ever  been  friends  of 
my  people.  From  time  immemorial  my  ancestors  have 


A   PRINCK   OF   ANAHUAC.  355 

served  yours,  and  will  doubtless  continue  to  do  so, 
faithfully  and  loyally.  May  I  not  ask,  as  the  child  of 
Euzelmozin,  O  Hualcoyotl,  and,  still,  as  the  sister  of 
your  loyal  servitor  and  friend,  Euetzin,  that  you  will 
deal  kindly  with  us — me  and  mine,  in  this  hour  of  my 
distress?  I  am  sorely  troubled,  yes,  even  unto  death." 

Her  pleading  look  and  words  were  strangely  at  vari« 
ance  with  the  subject  of  marriage  which  the  king  had 
introduced,  and  he  looked  deeply  perplexed — dazed — 
in  consequence. 

"  Those  are  strange  words,  Itlza,  very  strange,  in- 
deed, coming  from  you,  whom  it  is  proposed  to  raise  to 
the  highest  place,  a  woman  can  fill  in  our  country. 
What  is  the  matter  ?  It  can  not  be  that  I  am  so  re- 
pulsive, so  repellant.  Speak,  Itlza,  tell  me;  is  this 
so?" 

"  O,  no !  no  !  You  are  the  peer  of  the  greatest  and 
best,  and  worthy  to  wed  whom  you  will ;  but,  Hual- 
coyotl, I  can  not  be  your  queen.  I  throw  myself  at 
your  feet,  and  upon  your  compassion,  imploring  that 
you  will  send  me  away — forget  me."  She  had  dropped 
upon  her  knees  in  front  of  him,  and  was  looking  be- 
seechingly up  into  his  face.  He  gazed  at  her  in  con- 
fused amazement,  and  presently  said  : 

"  What  have  I  done,  O  Itlza,  to  merit  this  remarka- 
ble rejection  of  my  proposal  ?  " 

"  You  have  done  nothing,  O  best  of  friends.  It  is  all 
my  own  doing ;  I  have  put  an  impassable  barrier  be- 
tween us,"  she  answered,  dropping  her  head  as  if  to 
hide  her  face  from  an  expected  blow. 

"A  barrier  between  us  !  What  do  you  mean?  Speak, 
I  beseech  you,  and  end  this  unparalleled  and  humili- 
ating scene,"  spoke  the  patience-tried  prince. 


356  A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC. 

With  head  bowed  down,  the  kneeling  maiden  an- 
swered in  a  shrinking  voice : 

"  I  mean,  O  king,  that  I  am  the  wife  of  another." 

Now,  indeed,  was  Hualcoyotl  dumbfounded.  Had 
the  earth  opened  at  his  feet  he  could  not  have  been 
more  astounded.  He  finally  said,  becoming  angry  and 
excited : 

"  Who  has  dared  to  come  between  the  king  and  his 
chosen — his  intended  queen  ?  " 

Itlza  was  almost  prostrated  from  the  strain  upon  her 
feelings ;  and  now,  at  hearing  the  prince's  angry  tones, 
began  to  sink,  but  managed,  in  a  hoarse  whisper,  to  say 
"  Cacami,"  and  then  fell  to  the  ground  insensible. 

Hualcoyotl  was  staggered  as  by  a  blow  when  he 
heard  the  name  of  Cacami  fall  from  Itlza's  lips.  That 
estimable  young  warrior,  counted  among  his  closest 
friends,  had  deceived  him.  He  turned  away  for  a  mo- 
ment to  strive  with  his  rising  anger  and  feelings  of 
resentment ;  then  back  to  where  Itlza  was  lying.  He 
looked  at  her  in  a  commiserating  manner, and  exclaimed 
in  a  hard,  pained  voice  : 

"  Itlza !  Itlza !  this  from  you,  whom  Hualcoyotl 
would  have  delighted  to  honor,  and  been  so  proud ! " 
Her  appearance  seemed  to  stir  the  nobler  impulses 
within  the  man,  for  he  knelt  down  and  began  trying  to 
bring  about  her  resuscitation.  While  thus  engaged  he 
was  suddenly  made  aware  of  the  presence  of  Itzalmo, 
who,  in  passing  through  the  conservatory,  had  discov- 
ered him  striving  with  the  unconscious  maiden,  and,  be- 
coming alarmed,  cried  out : 

"  Father  of  Light !  what  is  the  meaning  of  this?  Is 
the  child  dead?" 

"  She  is  not  dead,  but  'twere  better  if  she  was,"  re- 


A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  357 

turned  the  prince,  without  pausing  in  his  efforts  to  re- 
store her  to  consciousness. 

"  Your  words,  O  King,  are  very  strange.  Why  do 
you  speak  thus?" 

"  I  can  not  explain  to  you  now,  Itzalmo.  You  will 
retire,  and  at  the  instance  of  the  king  have  Cacami 
arrested  immediately.  Go  at  once,  and  seek  not  to 
know  more  at  present,"  returned  he,  showing  great 
but  restrained  excitement. 

Itzalmo  left  the  conservatory  in  a  state  of  wonder- 
ment at  what  he  had  seen  and  heard,  and  went  imme- 
diately to  execute  the  command  of  the  king. 

Itlza  gradually  returned  to  consciousness,  through 
the  endeavors  of  the  prince,  and,  when  sufficiently  re- 
covered to  walk,  was  conducted  in  silence  to  her  moth- 
er, who  was  told  that  she  had  fainted. 

In  a  semiconscious  condition  she  was  taken  charge 
of  by  her  attendants,  while  the  king  passed  to  his  pri- 
vate apartments  to  compose,  if  possible,  his  over- 
wrought feelings. 

In  obedience  to  the  king's  fiat,  Itzalmo  had  Cacami 
arrested  and  placed  in  confinement,  to  await  the  fur- 
ther action  of  his  royal  master. 

Cacami  was  not  surprised  at  his  apprehension.  He 
felt  quite  certain  that  a  disclosure  of  his  secret  mar- 
riage would  take  place,  should  the  king  persist  in 
pressing  his  suit  with  Itlza,  which  he  did  not  doubt  he 
would  do,  and  which  would  be  followed  by  his  arrest 
and  committal.  He  had  taken  the  fatal  step,  knowing 
the  consequences  which  would  in  all  probability  ensue, 
and  now  met  them  as  became  a  man  of  courage,  which 
he  had  on  more  than  one  occasion  proven  himself  to 
be. 


A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

The  king  was  distracted  to  the  verge  of  madness 
at  what  he  considered  his  humiliation,  and  in  the  heat 
of  passion  could  think  of  nothing  but  punishment  for 
the  man  who  had  brought  it  upon  him.  He  there- 
fore permitted  no  delay  to  occur  in  entering  his  charge 
against  Cacami.  In  placing  his  charge,  he  put  the 
case  beyond  his  authority,  and  at  the  absolute  disposal 
of  a  Tezcucan  court  of  justice. 

Hualcoyotl,  in  reestablishing  the  Tezcucan  govern- 
ment, among  other  things,  we  may  presume,  adopted 
the  laws  and  means  of  enforcing  them  which  had  pre- 
vailed at  the  close  of  his  esteemed  father's  reign. 

Although  the  governments  of  Anahuac  were  to  a 
certain  extent  despotic,  there  was  to  be  found  much  in 
them  that  was  commendable ;  especially  was  this  true 
of  Tezcuco. 

The  enforcement  of  the  laws  was  vested  in  a  tri- 
bunal of  justice,  composed  of  judges  appointed  by  the 
king,  an  appeal  from  which  might  be  taken  to  a  su- 
preme magistrate,  the  highest  authority  in  the  govern- 
ment, from  whose  decision  there  was  no  appeal,  not 
even  to  the  king  himself,  though  he  had  the  power  to 
make  or  unmake  the  court.  We  infer  that,  under  cer- 
tain circumstances,  these  courts  were  combined,  form- 
ing a  court  whose  findings  were  final.  In  the  hands 
of  such  a  tribunal  rested  the  fate  of  Cacami  and  Itlza, 
the  latter  depending  on  the  result  of  the  former's  ar- 
raignment. 

We  are  told  that  the  court  proceedings  were  con- 
ducted with  the  greatest  decorum.  The  judges  wore  a 
peculiar  and  appropriate  dress,  and  were  attended  by 
officers  whose  duty  it  was  to  preserve  order,  while 
others  summoned  and  brought  the  parties  into  court. 


A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  359 

The  court  records  were  portrayed  in  hieroglyphical 
paintings,  from  which  the  decision  of  the  judges  was 
made.  If  the  sentence  proved  to  be  capital,  it  was  in- 
dicated by  a  line  traced  with  an  arrow  across  the  por- 
trait of  the  condemned,  which  was  always  a  part  of 
the  record. 

When  the  lovers  determined  to  stake  their  lives  on 
their  fidelity  to  each  other,  they  proceeded  to  settle  the 
matter,  at  once  and  for  all,  by  uniting  themselves  in 
marriage,  which  they  did  just  before  the  armies  of 
Mexico  and  Tezcuco  marched  against  Maxtla,  in  which 
campaign  Cacami  bore  a  brave  and  honorable  part. 
The  ceremony  of  marriage  was  performed  by  a  priest, 
in  the  prescribed  form,  and  no  earthly  power  could 
nullify  its  force,  except  a  due  process  of  law,  and  then 
only  on  just  grounds  for  divorce,  so  strict  was  the  law 
of  marriage  among  these  semicivilized  people. 

When  Euetzin  and  his  mother  learned  the  true  situ- 
ation of  affairs,  the  latter  was  horrified  at  the  terrible 
dilemma  into  which  her  child  had  been  brought,  and 
was  entirely  overcome  and  prostrated  from  the  effects 
of  it.  Euetzin  was  greatly  troubled,  dividing  his  sym- 
pathy between  his  friends.  Having  so  lately  experi- 
enced the  power  of  love  in  his  own  case,  with  Mitla, 
he  was  deeply  moved  with  compassion  for  his  much- 
loved  sister,  and  also  felt  a  deep,  friendly  interest  for 
Cacami.  He  was  more  hopeful  of  a  favorable  termi- 
nation of  the  matter  than  anyone  else,  if,  as  he  sus- 
pected, there  was  reason  in  the  mad  step  they  had 
taken.  He  resolved  to  enter  the  case,  and,  if  in  his 
power,  clear  the  good  name  of  his  beloved  sister,  and 
that  of  his  friend,  from  all  opprobrium,  and  restore  to 
them  their  freedom  and  their  love. 


360  A   PRINCE  OP  ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

THE  case  of  Hualcoyotl  against  Cacami  was  one 
of  the  first,  of  a  special  character,  which  came  up 
for  trial  under  the  new  organization  of  the  courts. 

The  sessions  of  the  court  which  was  to  try  the  case 
were  held  in  a  hall  set  apart  for  court  purposes,  called 
the  hall  of  justice. 

The  day  set  for  the  hearing  was  at  hand,  and  the 
court  had  convened.  The  judges,  dressed  in  their 
court  costumes,  which  gave  them  a  solemn  and  digni- 
fied appearance,  were  in  their  seats.  The  chief  officer 
in  attendance  had  commanded  silence,  and  a  hush  of 
expectancy  had  fallen  upon  those  present.  The  case 
was  an  interesting  one  in  its  character,  and  prominent 
from  the  fact  that  the  king  was  a  party  to  it,  and  had 
attracted  quite  a  large  audience  to  witness  the  pro- 
ceedings, which  were  opened  by  the  presiding  justice 
saying,  very  impressively : 

"  The  keeper  of  records  will  read  the  order  of  the 
court  for  the  delivery  of  one  Cacami  into  its  presence." 

The  official  indicated  rose  up  and  read,  in  a  manner 
peculiarly  his  own,  yet  native  in  the  nasalized  ex- 
pression with  which  his  delivery  was  effected : 

"  It  is  ordered,"  he  began,  scrutinizing  with  care  the 
hieroglyphical  painting,  which  he  held  up  before  him, 
"  that  Cacami,  a  warrior,  be  brought  into  the  presence 
of  this,  the  king's  highest  tribunal  of  justice,  that  he 


A   PRINCE   OP  ANAHUAC.  361 

may  have  opportunity  to  show  why  he  should  not 
suffer  the  penalty  of  death  for  the  violation  of  a  sacred 
and  duly  established  law  of  the  realm." 

The  keeper  of  prisoners  retired,  and,  after  a  few 
minutes'  absence,  returned,  accompanied  by  Cacami. 
The  young  warrior  was  looking  pale,  but  resolute.  He 
walked  with  a  firm  step  to  his  place  in  the  court ;  and 
being  a  man  of  superb  physique,  admirably  propor- 
tioned, with  a  bright  eye  and  handsome  face,  his  ap- 
pearance elicited  a  murmur  of  voices,  which  was 
evidently  an  expression  of  admiration.  Directly  fol- 
lowed Itlza,  in  company  with  Euetzin.  She  was 
beautifully  but  plainly  dressed,  and  never  looked  more 
attractive.  The  audience  was  perfectly  quiet  for  a 
moment,  while  she  was  being  seated,  when  its  tongue 
again  became  active  and  a  subdued  buzz  arose  from  it. 

Itlza  was  given  a  seat  near  her  husband,  while  the 
tzin  occupied  one  only  a  short  distance  off.  When  she 
sat  down,  her  hand  quickly  found  its  way  into  Cacami's, 
the  clasp  of  which  seemed  to  give  her  courage. 

The  officer,  whose  duty  it  was  to  observe  order,  com- 
manded silence,  and  the  chief  justice  proceeded  to  say : 

"  The  keeper  of  records  will  read  the  charge  under 
which  the  prisoner  at  the  bar  is  held  accused." 

Again  the  nasalated  twang  of  the  recorder's  voice 
was  heard  to  wring  out  quite  distinctly,  as  he  read : 

"  It  is  charged  that  Cacami,  a  warrior  and  subject  of 
the  realm,  contrary  to,  and  in  defiance  of,  a  most  sacred 
law  of  the  same,  did  hurt  and  injure  the  feelings,  and 
spoil  the  affections  of  Hualcoyotl,  the  king,  by  en- 
gaging and  marrying  with  Itlza,  a  daughter  of  Euzel- 
mozin,  who  was  the  chosen  of  Hualcoyotl  to  be  his 
queen  ;  to  which  charge  Cacami  shall  give  satisfactory 


362  A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHTJAC. 

answer,  or  stand  convicted,  and  shall,  if  it  be  so  de- 
cided, suffer  the  penalty  therefor,  which  is  death." 

"  What  has  the  prisoner,  Cacami,  to  say  in  answer 
to  the  charge  under  which  he  stands  committed?" 
asked  the  judge  of  the  accused. 

Cacami  rose  in  his  place,  and  calmly  replied : 
"  I  will  abide  the  decision  of  the  court.  Let  the  trial 
proceed." 


We  are  informed  by  traditional  history  that  the  pro- 
fession and  practice  of  law  was  not  extant  among  the 
Anahuacans.  No  counsel  was,  therefore,  at  hand  to 
be  employed  in  the  defense  of  a  prisoner  or  litigant. 
The  parties  involved  in  the  trial  stated  their  own  case, 
and  won  or  lost,  according  to  the  weight  of  the  evidence 
furnished  through  their  witnesses.  In  criminal  cases 
the  procedure  was  necessarily  different,  charges  being 
preferred  and  published  in  open  court,  which  the  ac- 
cused was  compelled  to  refute  or  stand  convicted. 

The  laws  regulating  testimony  were  most  liberal. 
The  accused  was  entitled  to  give  evidence,  and,  if  he 
so  desired,  address  the  court  in  his  oWn  behalf,  and  the 
force  of  what  he  said  was  not  impaired  by  the  fact  that 
he  was  on  trial. 


After  a  few  preliminary  matters  were  attended  to, 

the  judge  again  addressed  the  accused  : 

"  Cacami,  the  prisoner,  will  rise  and  answer." 

Cacami  stood  up,  and  the  judge  continued : 

"  How  long  have  you  been  acquainted  with  Itlza,  the 

daughter  of  Euzelmozin  ?  " 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  363 

"  I  met  her  first,  and  made  her  acquaintance,  about 
the  time  of  Hualcoyotl's  escape  to  the  mountains." 

"  When  did  the  desire  to  possess  the  maiden  first 
enter  your  heart?  "  continued  the  judge. 

"  My  heart  went  out  to  Itlza  the  first  time  I  saw  her, 
and  I  resolved  to  win  her  if  I  could." 

"  Did  Itlza  encourage  you  in  this?" 

"  She  certainly  did." 

"  In  what  manner?" 

"  By  teaching  me  to  love  her." 

"  When  did  Itlza  become  your  affianced?  " 

"  Only  a  few  days  before  we  were  married." 

"And  when  were  you  married?" 

"  Just  before  our  army  moved  against  Azcapozalco." 

"  Was  there  no  understanding  between  you  previous 
to  the  time  of  your  betrothal  that  you  were  to  wed?" 

"  There  was  not,  except  in  the  fact  that  we  were  ac- 
knowledged lovers,  intending,  in  due  time,  to  become 
affianced." 

"  About  what  time  did  you  become  acknowledged 
lovers?" 

"A  short  time  previous  to  the  tourney  at  Tlacopan." 

"  The  love  was  mutual  ?  " 

"  I  believe  it  was." 

"  And  you  said  nothing  about  it  to  anyone?  " 

"  I  did  not,  and  do  not  think  she  did." 

"  You  should  have  informed  the  mother  and  brother 
of  your  attachment,  if  only  in  justice  to  them.  Just 
here  was  your  first  mistake."  Continuing,  the  judge 
inquired : 

"  Did  you  know  at  the  time  of  your  marriage  that 
Itlza  had  been  chosen  by  Hualcoyotl  to  be  his  queen  ?  " 

"  I  did." 


364  A  T>RINCE   OF   ANAHUAC. 

"  Were  you  aware  of  the  consequences  of  such  a  step, 
under  the  circumstances  ?" 

"  I  was." 

"  And  took  the  step  in  the  face  of  such  knowledge?  " 
questioned  the  judge  in  a  severe  stress  of  voice. 

"  Even  so,"  answered  Cacami,  undaunted  by  the 
sternness  of  the  judge;  "rather  than  see  her  whom  I 
love  the  wife  of  another,  though  that  other  was  the 
king." 

This  answer  produced  such  a  commotion  and  hum 
of  voices  that  the  officer  in  attendance  had  to  command 
order. 

"  Thus  did  you  err  a  second  time,  and  grievously," 
said  the  judge,  and  the  court  looked  grave  and  fore- 
boding. 

Cacami  was  now  told  to  be  seated. 

"  Itlza  will  rise  and  answer,"  said  the  judge,  address- 
ing hercourteously.  When  she  had  risen  he  continued  : 

"  You  are  the  wife  of  Cacami,  the  prisoner  at  the 
bar?" 

"  I  am  proud  to  acknowledge  myself  the  wife  of  Ca- 
cami," was  her  earnest  reply,  accompanied  by  an  affec- 
tionate glance  at  the  object  of  her  adoration. 

"  Did  Cacami  persuade  you  to  do  so  unwise  an  act 
as  to  wed  with  him  under  the  grave  circumstances 
which  existed  at  the  time  of  your  marriage?  " 

"  Cacami  did  not  persuade  me.  My  love  was  pledged 
to  him,  and  I  was  the  first  to  say,  let  us  wed,  though  it 
be  unto  death." 

This  declaration  from  Itlza  was  received  by  the  spec- 
tators with  evident  admiration  for  her  courage  and 
fidelity ;  and,  had  it  not  been  for  the  great  respect  in 
which  the  court  was  held,  would  have  been  followed, 


A   PRINCE   OP  ANAHUAC.  365 

by  a  demonstration  of  approval.  The  gravity  of  the 
judges,  on  the  other  hand,  deepened,  for  in  her  answer, 
so  earnestly  and  honestly  given,  she  had  convicted  her- 
self of  voluntary  complicity  with  Cacami  in  the  offense 
against  the  king.  It  was  not  necessary  to  question 
her  further,  and  she  was  told  to  be  seated. 

The  tzin  looked  perplexed  and  troubled,  on  account 
of  the  gravity  of  the  position  in  which  his  beloved  sis- 
ter's ingenuous  reply  had  placed  her. 

"  Euetzin  will  rise  and  answer,"  said  the  judge,  at 
which  the  witness  was  not  a  little  surprised,  as  he  was 
not  expecting  a  call  at  the  moment. 

"  When  did  you  learn  of  the  marriage  of  your  sister 
with  the  prisoner  ?  " 

"  At  the  time  of  Cacami's  arrest,"  he  replied. 

"  Had  you  no  previous  knowledge  or  intimation  of 
the  sentiments  entertained  by  the  young  people  for 
each  other  ?  " 

"  None  whatever.  I  did  not  even  suspect  it,  though, 
since  the  facts  have  become  known,  I  can  see  that  I 
might  have  done  so  with  reason. 

"  You  have  been  a  close  and  intimate  friend  of  Ca- 
cami's, tzin  Euet.  Will  you  state  to  the  court  what  you 
know  of  him  personally  ?  " 

The  court,  like  the  audience,  had  been  favorably  im- 
pressed with  the  bearing  and  perfect  candor  of  the 
young  people,  who  were  being  tried  for  their  lives,  and 
was  evidently  seeking  palliating  conditions  relevant  to 
their  case.  The  last  quest  of  the  judge  could  have 
been  made  with  no  other  intent.  It  was  just  the  posi- 
tion i:i  which  the  tzin  desired  to  be  placed ;  for  it  gave 
him  the  ear  of  the  court,  and  the  liberty  to  address  it 
in  behalf  of  his  friend,  without  the  fear  of  interruption. 


366  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

so  long  as  he  observed  a  due  regard  for  its  dignity. 
He  began  by  saying : 

"  The  court  is  very  kind  in  conferring  upon  me  the 
liberty  to  address  it — a  privilege  I  very  much  desired, 
for  which  I  am  profoundly  thankful."  Here  the  tzin 
made  his  obeisance  to  the  court,  and  continued : 

"  I  have  known  Cacami  long  enough,  and  well 
enough,  to  be  able  to  speak  of  him  in  no  doubtful 
language.  Cacami  and  myself  labored  side  by  side  for 
the  freedom  of  Tezcuco,  in  times  that  tried  the  patri- 
otism of  her  sons.  I  know  him  to  be  a  patriot  and 
true  friend,  which  I  have  proven,  not  only  once,  but 
many  times.  He  is  a  brave  and  valiant  warrior,  to 
which  our  noble  Hualcoyotl  can  bear  abundant  testi- 
mony. He  is  a  true  man,  in  that  he  has  staked  his 
life  in  an  issue  which  involves  those  emotions  and 
sentiments  of  the  heart  which  honor  a  man  above  all 
others — a  pure,  unsullied  love  for  the  woman  of  his 
choice.  He  stands  to-day,  though  a  prisoner  at  the 
bar  of  justice,  a  man  to  whom  Tezcuco  owes  as  much 
as  to  any  one  person  within  or  without  her  borders. 
Had  it  not  been  for  the  strong  right  arm  of  this  valiant 
man,  both  as  citizen  and  warrior,  Hualcoyotl  would 
not  be  king  to-day.  You  look  at  me  in  amazement, 
and  well  you  may,  for  the  words  I  speak  are  the  words 
of  truth  and  soberness  ;  and  when  this  court  condemns 
to  die  the  warrior  Cacami,  for  following  the  dictates  of 
an  attachment  stronger  than  the  fear  of  death,  it  robs 
Tezcuco  of  one  of  her  bravest  and  best;  a  man  to 
whom  every  Tezcucan  should  give  honor  and  respect, 
which  is  his  due ;  for  out  of  his  hand  came  the  life  of 
Hualcoyotl,  the  king,  whom  all  delight  to  honor." 
The  audience,  at  this  point  in  the  tzin's  speech,  was 


A    PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  367 

like  a  mine  prepared,  ready  to  break  out  in  a  storm  of 
approval,  from  the  effect  of  his  impressive  eloquence. 
His  heart  was  in  the  subject,  and  his  face  illumined  by 
the  earnestness  of  his  effort  to  place  the  character  of 
his  friend  in  the  best  possible  light  before  the  judges. 
He  continued : 

"  The  words  of  commendation  which  I  am  compelled 
to  speak  in  behalf  of  the  warrior  Cacami  are  not 
spoken  out  of  sympathy  for  a  friend  who  is  passing 
through  an  ordeal,  but  from  a  feeling  of  regard  for  his 
personal  worth.  I  admire  a  man  who  is  brave  and 
fearless  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty,  be  that  duty  what 
it  may.  Such  a  man  is  found  in  the  prisoner  at  the 
bar — the  man  whom  you  are  to  liberate  or  condemn  to 
death.  I  do  not  negative  the  possibility  that  a  feeling 
of  friendship  for  the  accused  may  influence  me  to  some 
extent  in  what  I  say  ;  it  could  hardly  be  otherwise ;  but, 
while  this  may  be  admitted,  there  underlies  it  all  an 
esteem  and  admiration  for  the  man — as  a  man — which 
have  developed  through  daily  intercourse  and  observa- 
tion, and  which  would  obtain  were  we  less  friendly. 
My  language  has  not  been  too  strong,  I  would  im- 
press upon  you,  but  rather  lacking  in  strength ;  for  the 
words  have  not  yet  been  coined  that  will  do  justice  to 
the  worth  of  him  whom  the  law  would  condemn. 
Were  the  king  to  stand  in  my  place  at  this  moment,  I 
believe  that  he  would,  in  the  magnanimity  of  his  noble 
nature,  be  compelled  to  reecho  the  words  I  have 
spoken.  If  worth,  in  those  attributes  which  are 
esteemed  above  all  others  in  a  man's  character :  honesty, 
fidelity,  courage,  and  patriotism,  may  be  counted  in 
the  prisoner's  favor,  then  I  pray  the  court  to  give  him 
the  benefit  of  its  weight ;  for,  if  any  man  is  entitled  to 
it,  that  man  is  Cacami,  the  defendant  at  the  bar." 


368  A    PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 

It  will  be  in  order  here  to  enlighten  the  reader 
relative  to  the  demeanor  of  the  king  during  the  time 
which  elapsed  after  he  entered  the  charge  against  Ca- 
cami  up  to  the  day  of  his  trial. 

When  too  late  to  recall  his  action,  the  sting  of 
mortification  and  chagrin  having  subsided  sufficiently 
to  permit  him  to  reason,  Hualcoyotl  became  conscious 
of  the  fact  that  he  had  acted  rashly  and  unwisely. 
When  he  recalled  the  many  instances  wherein  Cacami 
had  stood  between  him  and  death,  especially  when,  a 
stranger  to  him,  he  had  undoubtedly  saved  him  from 
the  fate  which  finally  overtook  his  enemy,  the  Tepa- 
nec  king,  he  was  filled  with  remorse  for  the  ungen- 
erous course  he  had  taken.  He  had  promised  to 
remember  his  deliverer  in  the  future,  and  how  had 
he  done  it  ?  By  committing  him  to  the  mercy  of  an 
exacting  tribunal  of  justice,  from  the  decision  of  which 
there  was  no  appeal. 

The  day  of  trial  found  the  repentant  king  wrought 
up  to  a  degree  of  mental  excitement  so  great  that  he 
could  not  be  composed  for  a  minute.  He  walked  the 
floor  of  his  apartments  almost  incessantly,  and  would 
see  no  one.  He  was  waiting  impatiently  for  a  sum- 
mons to  appear  before  the  court,  but  no  summons 
came.  It  came  to  that  point  when  he  could  endure  the 
suspense  no  longer,  and  he  resolved  to  go  to  the  hall 
uncalled,  where  he  would  listen  to  the  proceedings 
unobserved.  He  came  to  the  door  of  the  court-room 
and  paused,  just  in  time  to  hear  Itlza's  last  answer, 
which  condemned  her,  in  the  minds  of  the  judges. 
When  the  tzin  rose  to  give  in  his  testimony — which 
proved  to  be  more  in  the  nature  of  a  speech — he  was 
all  attention,  and  heard  every  word  the  speaker  said, 


A   PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  369 

apparently  forgetting  his  distress  of  mind  in  the  ab- 
sorption of  the  moment,  while  listening  to  his  friend's 
eloquent  plea. 

When  Euetzin  concluded  his  address  to  the  court, 
and  was  seated,  Hualcoyotl  entered  the  hall  and  walked 
straight  to  the  spot  on  which  the  former  had  stood,  and 
paused.  The  court  and  spectators  were  astonished 
alike  at  the  singular  conduct  of  the  king.  His  majesty 
was  laboring  under  suppressed  excitement,  and,  for  a 
moment,  after  facing  the  court,  appeared  unable  to 
speak.  He,  however,  quickly  recovered  his  equanim- 
ity, and  spoke  as  follows : 

"  Well,  and  true,  did  my  friend,  the  tzin,  speak,  when 
he  said  the  king  would  be  compelled  to  reecho  his 
words  were  he  standing  in  his  place.  I  am  here  to 
confirm,  in  the  presence  of  this  great  tribunal,  the 
words  Euetzin  has  spoken.  And,  further,  to  admit 
that,  while  overwhelmed  with  humiliation  and  chagrin 
at  my  defeat,  I  did  err  in  causing  the  arrest  and  com- 
mittal of  the  warrior  Cacami.  Hualcoyotl  would  better 
kiss  than  smite  the  hand  that  delivered  him  from  his 
enemy.  The  defendant  at  the  bar  once  saved  your 
king  from  a  terrible  death  at  the  hands  of  Maxtla; 
and,  now,  instead  of  remembering  the  brave  act  of  his 
deliverer,  as  he  should,  your  king  so  far  forgot  his  ob- 
ligation as  to  consign  him  to  a  fate  hardly  less  severe 
than  that  from  which  he  rescued  him.  The  disposition 
of  the  case  is  in  the  hands  of  this  tribunal,  from  the 
decision  of  which  there  is  no  appeal.  If,  in  the  end, 
Cacami  is  found  guilty,  he  must  die,  and  with  him 
Itlza,  his  wife,  who  is  equally  liable.  Since  it  was 
my  hand  that  brought  the  accused  to  his  present  posi- 
tion of  a  threatened  destruction,  most  willingly  would 


370  A   PRINCE   OP  ANAHUAC. 

I  step  into  his  place,  if  I  might,  and  bear  the  penalty 
of  his  offense,  but  that  can  not  be ;  our  laws  recognize 
no  substitutions,  and  the  defendant  must  suffer  if 
found  guilty  of  the  charge.  If  there  be  extenuating 
circumstances  favorable  to  the  warrior  Cacami,  your 
king  prays  the  court  to  employ  them  to  his  advantage. 
If,  by  any  honorable  means,  a  suspension  of  action,  or 
mitigation  of  sentence  might  be  effected,  great  will  be 
the  relief  and  satisfaction  of  your  sovereign." 

The  king  took  a  seat  near  the  accused,  and  at  once 
assumed  the  relation  of  an  interested  friend.  Itlza 
saw  him  now  as  the  noble  and  magnanimous  prince  he 
had  always  seemed  to  her ;  Cacami  felt  the  weight  of 
his  impending  doom  grow  lighter  in  the  friendly  atti- 
tude of  the  king,  while  Euetzin  only  recognized  in  the 
action  the  generous,  forgiving  man  he  knew  his  royal 
friend  to  be. 

The  judges  consulted  together  for  a  few  minutes, 
when  an  adjournment  of  the  court  followed. 

The  court  retired  to  another  room  for  the  purpose 
of  holding  a  private  consultation,  at  which  the  king 
was  invited  to  be  present.  After  an  absence  of  quite 
a  half  hour  it  returned  and  the  session  was  resumed. 

Cacami  was  in  his  place,  with  the  faithful  Itlza  be- 
side him. 

The  presiding  judge  proceeded  to  address  the  pris- 
oner and  his  friends.  After  informing  them  that  a  de- 
cision had  been  reached  by  the  court,  he  continued,  by 
saying : 

"  The  case  we  have  been  called  to  consider  is  an  ex- 
traordinary one.  The  accused  is  represented  to  be  a 
man  of  sterling  qualities,  and  worthy  of  our  highest 
regard.  He  is  charged,  however,  with  a  grave  offense 


A   PRINCE   OP   ANAHUAC.  371 

against  his  king.  The  evidence  is  not  wanting  to 
make  a  case  against  him,  but  there  have  come  to  our 
notice,  during  the  trial,  conditions  which  place  the 
court  in  doubt  as  to  the  wisdom  of  a  further  prosecu- 
tion of  the  defendant.  Since  this  is  true,  the  court 
has  decided,  at  the  instance  of  the  king,  who  is  the  in- 
jured party,  to  dismiss  the  case.  The  accused  is,  there- 
fore, honorably  discharged  from  the  custody  of  the 
court." 

Itlza,  forgetting  all  save  her  great  joy,  in  knowing 
that  Cacami  was  free,  threw  herself  upon  his  breast 
and  wept. 

Cacami  was  deeply  affected,  but  he  belonged  to  a 
race  of  men  who  scorned  to  exhibit  a  weakness,  under 
any  circumstances,  and  was  calm  while  he  held  in  his 
strong  embrace  the  weeping  Itlza. 

Hualcoyotl  was  the  first  to  speak  to  them,  and,  in 
doing  so,  assured  his  now  successful  rival  that  he  ex- 
perienced great  pleasure  in  knowing  that  he  was  free. 

Euetzin  was  quite  rejoiced,  and,  with  a  happy  smile 
upon  his  face,  so  lately  covered  by  a  cloud  of  anxiety, 
conducted  his  now  joyful  sister  and  her  forever-famous 
young  husband  from  the  court-room,  and  into  the 
presence  of  Teochma,  the  mother,  who  received  them 
with  demonstrations  of  joy  and  gladness,  forgetting, 
in  the  happiness  of  the  moment,  her  disappointment 
at  not  becoming  the  mother  of  a  queen. 


372  A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 


CHAPTER   XL. 

IMMEDIATELY  after  the  trial  Cacami  and  Itlza 
1  accompanied  Teochma  to  Zelmonco  villa,  where 
the  twain  remained  for  a  time  in  the  enjoyment  of 
each  other's  society,  made  unspeakably  felicitous  by  a 
love  which  had  been  purified  and  intensified  in  the 
crucible  of  affliction.  The  reward  of  their  fidelity  was 
a  rich  one — the  consciousness  of  having  been  true  to 
each  other  through  an  ordeal  little  less  terrible  than 
death  itself. 

The  stay  of  the  happy  couple  at  the  villa  was  sud- 
denly brought  to  a  close  by  an  edict  from  the  king, 
conferring  upon  Cacami  a  title  of  nobility,  accompa- 
nied by  a  domain  commensurate  with  the  dignity  it 
entailed.  He  was  ordered  to  appear  before  the  proper 
authority,  that  he  might  be  inducted  into  the  high  and 
honorable  station  he  was  to  fill,  and  be  put  in  posses- 
sion of  his  estates,  which  included  a  beautiful  villa, 
provided  with  everything  necessary  to  make  it  a  home 
worthy  of  one  who  was  to  be  an  associate  of  the  king. 

The  prescribed  forms  were  complied  with,  which 
raised  the  young  farmer  warrior  to  a  position  of  dis- 
tinction, and  he  and  his  faithful  wife  were  duly  in- 
stalled in  their  new  home. 

Itlza,  if  not  a  queen,  was  the  happy,  loving  consort 
of  a  noble,  who  in  after  years  became  one  of  the  great 
men  of  his  nation. 

Euetzin  was  in  due  time  wedded  to  Mitla,  at  the 
king's  palace. 


A   PRINCE   OP   ANAHUAC.  373 

Hualcoyotl,  remembering  the  act  which  saved  him 
from  capture  by  the  Tepanec  soldiers  and  brought 
him  to  a  final  refuge,  expressed  a  wish  to  the  tzin 
that  the  marriage  ceremony  between  Mitla  and  him- 
self should  be  celebrated  in  his  presence.  The  latter, 
as  a  result  of  the  request,  made  a  trip  to  the  moun- 
taineer's home — not,  however,  as  on  previous  occa- 
sions, in  a  pedestrial  fashion,  but  as  a  dignitary,  within 
a  royal  palanquin  borne  by  tamanes — for  the  purpose 
of  consulting  the  wishes  of  the  hunters'  chief  and  his 
family,  with  reference  to  the  matter.  The  prestige  such 
a  wedding  would  confer  upon  the  favored  ones  was 
sufficient  inducement  to  cause  a  concurrence  in  the  ar- 
rangement by  the  hunter  and  his  family,  and  the  tzin 
returned  to  his  royal  patron  the  bearer  of  the  gratify- 
ing intelligence  that  he  was  to  be  chief  sponsor  of  the 
occasion. 

While  elaborate  preparations  for  the  event  were  go- 
ing on,  Tezcot  and  his  family  were  brought  to  the 
palace  of  the  king  to  become  his  guests  until  after 
the  nuptial  ceremony. 

The  eventful  day  came  around,  and  Mitla,  beautiful 
as  she  was  happy,  became  the  wife  of  Euetzin,  the  man 
who  was  enshrined  in  her  heart  and  mind  a  veritable 
hero. 

No  real  princess  was  ever  wedded  amid  scenes  of 
greater  splendor.  The  munificence  of  the  king  was 
lavished  upon  her,  and  the  occasion,  with  prodigal 
liberality,  which  ended  only  when  he  bestowed  upon  the 
tzin  and  herself  a  magnificent  palace  home  near  his 
own. 

The  villa  of  Zelmonco  reverted  to  Euetzin  by  entail- 
ment,  and  much  of  the  time  of  Mitla  and  himself  was 


374  A   PRINCE   OP   ANAHUAC. 

spent  there  in  the  society  of  his  mother,  who  continued 
to  be  its  mistress  and  head. 

Ixtlilchoatl  and  Itzalmo  lived  to  see  their  country 
raised  far  above  its  pristine  glory,  and  died  in  the  full- 
ness of  years,  honored  for  their  respective  excellence 
and  upright  lives. 

Oza,  though  a  freeman,  was  installed  in  the  king's 
household  as  an  over-servant,  with  liberal  provisions 
for  his  comfort. 

Kan,  the  weaver,  whose  cottage  had  given  shelter  to 
the  prince  at  the  time  of  his  escape  from  the  palace, 
and  whose  words,  addressed  to  the  Tepanec  soldier,  no 
doubt,  in  after  years,  proved  a  blessing  to  more  than 
one  Tezcucan  subject,  was  not  forgotten,  but  remem- 
bered in  a  substantial  manner  by  the  king. 

Thus  did  Hualcoyotl  remember  all  his  friends. 

One  of  the  first  acts  performed  by  the  prince  on 
his  accession  to  power  was  to  extend  amnesty  to  all 
those  who  had  cast  in  their  lot  with  Maxtla  and  his 
predecessor.  It  is  written  that  he  should  have  said : 
"A  monarch  may  punish,  but  revenge  is  unworthy  of 
him."  Being  averse  to  punishing,  in  this  case,  his 
alienated  subjects  were  all  restored  to  citizenship. 

Soon  after  the  restoration  of  the  Tezcucan  govern- 
ment a  triple  alliance  was  formed  between  the  states 
of  Mexico,  Tezcuco,  and  Tlacopan  for  offensive  and 
defensive  purposes.  In  this  alliance,  which  was 
never  abrogated  by  the  parties  themselves,  was  un- 
doubtedly to  be  found  the  incipiency  of  the  great  Az- 
tec Empire,  which  ended  with  the  downfall  of  the  last 
Montezuma,  and  the  supremacy  of  the  Spaniards. 

Hualcoyotl  remained  unmarried  for  many  years,  in 
consequence  of  his  disappointment  in  not  securing  Itlza 


A   PRINCE   OF   ANAHUAC.  375 

for  his  queen.  He  finally,  however,  determined  to 
marry. 

In  referring  to  this  chapter  in  his  life  we  are  im- 
•pelled,  out  of  regard  for  the  many  excellent  qualities 
which  history  attributes  to  him,  to  disregard  that  por- 
tion of  it  which  is  prejudicial — the  manner  in  which  he 
secured  his  queen ;  a  parallel  case  with  that  of  David 
and  Uriah,  an  account  of  which  can  be  found  in  Pres- 
cott's  "Conquest  of  Mexico." 

As  the  years  advanced,  Oxie,  the  younger  daughter 
of  Tezcot  and  Xochitl,  developed  into  a  very  attractive 
woman.  Much  of  her  time  was  spent  at  the  home  of 
Euetzin,  and  the  king  was  often  brought  into  inter- 
course with  her. 

The  little  episode  of  the  bouquet  of  flowers  at  the 
hunter's  home,  when  the  prince  was  in  hiding  there, 
was  not  forgotten ;  and,  from  it,  there  grew  a  friend- 
ship, which  finally  ended  in  a  declaration  of  preference, 
if  not  of  love,  from  Hualcoyotl,  and  Oxie  became  one 
of  his  favorite  wives. 

The  king  had  a  great  fondness  for  country  life,  which 
was  to  be  seen  in  the  many  magnificent  villas  he  pos- 
sessed. These  grand  resorts  were  furnished  with  every- 
thing the  heart  could  wish,  to  beautify  and  make  them 
pleasant.  His  chief  and  favorite  retreat  was  the  villa 
of  Tezcotzinco,  so  named,  we  opine,  in  honor  of  the 
hunters'  chief,  who,  after  the  marriage  of  both  his  daugh- 
ters, decided  to  become  a  subject  of  Hualcoyotl's,  and 
was  rewarded  for  it  by  having  the  title  of  tzin  conferred 
upon  him,  and  his  being  established  at  the  king's  most 
attractive  resort,  where  he  lived  to  enjoy  a  good  old 
age. 

The  ruins  of  Tezcotzinco  have  long  been  designated 


376  A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC. 

as  the  "  Baths  of  Montezuma,"  which,  there  is  reason 
for  saying,  is  an  erroneous  application,  perpetuated 
through  the  ignorance  of  the  natives. 

A  description  of  the  villa  Tezcotzinco,  as  it  existed 
in  its  ancient  beauty  and  grandeur,  according  to  tra- 
ditional history,  will  be  interesting  in  this  connection, 
to  give  the  reader  some  idea  of  the  splendor  and  ele- 
gance of  the  great  Indian  Prince,  Hualcoyotl's,  manner 
of  living. 

The  villa  was  situated  on  a  cone-shaped  hill,  about 
two  leagues  from  the  city  of  Tezcuco.  We  here  quote 
from  the  historian :  "  It  was  laid  out  in  terraces,  or 
hanging  gardens,  having  a  flight  of  steps  five  hundred 
and  twenty  in  number,  many  of  them  hewn  in  the 
natural  porphyry.  In  the  garden  on  the  summit  was 
a  reservoir  of  water,  fed  by  an  aqueduct  that  was 
carried  over  hill  and  valley  for  several  miles  on  huge 
buttresses  of  masonry.  On  a  lower  level  there  were 
three  other  reservoirs.  From  these  copious  basins  the 
water  was  distributed  in  numerous  channels  through 
the  gardens,  or  was  made  to  tumble  over  the  rocks  in 
cascades.  In  the  depths  below,  marble  porticoes  and 
pavilions  were  erected,  and  baths  excavated  in  the  solid 
rock,  which  have  become  noted  as  the  '  Baths  of 
Montezuma.'  The  visitor  made  the  descent  by  steps 
cut  in  the  rock  and  polished  so  bright  as  to  reflect  like 
mirrors.  Toward  the  base  of  the  hill,  in  the  midst  of 
cedar  groves,  rose  the  royal  villa,  with  its  light  arcades 
and  airy  halls." 

Such  was  Tezcotzinco,  the  chief  country  seat  of 
Prince  Nezahualcoyotl,  to  which  he  often  retired  to 
throw  off  the  cares  of  state,  and  recuperate  his  jaded 


A  PRINCE   OF  ANAHUAC.  377 

Spirits  in  the  society  of  his  favorite  wives,  of  whom 
Oxie  was  one,  and  especially  favored.  Here  he  often 
entertained  his  royal  brothers  of  Mexico  and  Tlacopan, 
and  other  close  friends,  in  the  pleasures  of  the  chase 
through  the  grand  forests  that  surrounded  the  villa,  or 
in  the  milder  pleasures  of  its  paradisaical  bowers  and 
alluring  shades. 

The  prince  did  everything  he  could  to  promote  and 
broaden  the  intelligence  of  his  people.  Among  other 
things,  of  an  educational  character,  which  he  estab- 
lished, was  a  tribunal  before  which,  on  stated  days, 
compositions  of  prose  and  poetry  were  recited  by  com- 
petitors for  valuable  prizes.  The  compositions  in  prose 
were  restricted  to  the  subjects  of  science  and  history ; 
while  the  poems  treated  of  moral  and  traditional  topics. 

The  great  benefit  derived  from  this  and  similar 
institutions  was  seen  in  the  Tezcucan  authors  and 
orators,  who  stood  far  in  advance  of  those  of  any  other 
nation  of  Anahuac. 

Prince  Hualcoyotl  himself  was  one  of  the  most 
illustrious  of  their  writers,  especially  in  compositions 
of  a  poetical  nature.  Such  lines  as  the  following  are 
attributed  to  him  by  historians : 

"  If  there  are  bounds  to  pleasure,  the  saddest  life  must  also 

have  an  end. 
Then  weave  the  chaplet  of  flowers,  and  sing  thy  songs  in 

praise  of  the  all  powerful   God,  for  the  glory  of  this 

world  soon  fadeth  away. 
Rejoice  in  the  green  freshness  of  the  spring,  for  the  day  will 

soon  come  when  thou  shalt  sigh  for  these  joys  in  vain." 

And  again: 

"  The  goods  of  this  life,  its  glories  and  riches,  are  but  lent  to 
us; 


378 


A   PRINCE    OF   ANAHUAC. 


The  substance  is  but  an  illusory  shadow,  and  the  things  of  to- 
day shall  change  on  the  coming  of  the  morrow. 

Then  gather  the  fairest  flowers  from  the  gardens,  to  bind 
round  thy  brow,  and  seize  the  joys  of  the  present  ere 
they  perish." 

In  the  poetic  thoughts  which  these  lines  represent 
we  have  the  reflection  of  a  mind  endowed  with  beauty 
and  simplicity — attributes  of  greatness;  and,  though 
surrounded  by  the  darkness  of  ignorance  and  supersti- 
tion, the  man  who  possessed  it  lived  to  honor  the  high 
position  he  was  born  to  fill,  that  of  A  Prince  of  Ana- 
huac. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

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